Search - R. Schumann :: Complete Piano Works

An Amazing Bargain

JMB1014 | USA | 04/10/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an incredible deal: 13 CD's for under $40, with all of Robert Schumann's solo piano music, expertly performed by Jorg Demus. While I am not always delighted by Demus' interpretations (especially his very dark Kreisleriana), he plays Schumann with real warmth and understanding. I notice new insights as I play these recordings, and of course hearing some pieces that are completely new is great. There is considerable if subtle emotional and intellectual involvement with these works, which are the heart of Schumann's compositions. Demus does not engage in showy or affected renderings. He is natural and gentle but hardly understated, reminiscent in those respects of Wilhelm Kempff, another fine exponent of Schumann's music. The sound is digital and very good. Alas, there are no notes at all and the packaging (a cardboard box that opens from the front) is inexpensive but each individual CD sleeve is heavier than paper and lists all the works on the CD in order, with times. Unless you are happy with the usual Schumann pieces that are generally available (and why should you be?), this is a good set to own."

Is this the same as the other Nuovo Era set?

Doug McDonald | USA | 07/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This set appears to be the same as the Nuova Era set also listed on Amazon for a lot more money. The box and disks say Nuovo Era.



If it is DDD it is exceedingly strange indeed, as Papillons (at least) is mono.



A mystery, but be sure to read the customer reviews of that other box set."

A Disappointment

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 01/07/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I well remember hearing Demus play in recital thirty years ago and felt he was one of the great ones. However, this set, cheap though it be, is not very satisfying for two main reasons, well, three. The sound is murky. The piano is somewhat mushy and not well-tuned. And Demus does some very strange things. For instance, in the first movement of the Fantasie he uses so much pedal that it is hard to hear the individual notes. And his tempi often wander all over the place, in the service of interpretation, I suppose, or perhaps it's his idea of rubato.



I really can't recommend this except for the price. For people coming new to Schumann this would not be a very good introduction; that and the lack of notes militate against it being much of an educational tool.



Scott Morrison"