Search - Robert Schumann, Maurizio Pollini :: Schumann: Davidsbündlertänze; Concert sans orchestre; Kreisleriana

A high watermark of Schumann interpretation.

Abel | Hong Kong | 07/27/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This dual CD item contains the releases by Pollini on Schumann's Davidsbündlertänze; Concert sans orchestre (Sonata No. 3 in f minor) on CD 1, and Allegro in B minor, Op. 8; Kreisleriana (8 fantasies); 5 Gesänge der Frühe (morning songs) on CD 2, and is a real bargain considering that the contents were released earlier under separate headings.

Having listened to Schumann by the earlier German masters like Kempff and more contemporary pianists like Lupu, Pollini's Schumann pieces can rightfully boast as the most lyrically passionate versions. You may argue that Kempff's Davidsbündlertänze set has more philosophical substance, while Lupu's Kreisleriana set has more lilt, they nonetheless lack the tonal beauty and esthetic lyricism that form the hallmark of Pollini's pianism, of which are well-deployed in these works by Schumann.

There are controversial views on the Sonata No. 3 in f minor on the version adopted by Pollini in this recording. As a brand new ear to this piece, I absolutely find no problem with this version, and even if the latter revised version is a better composition, this earlier form is surely worth listening under the hands of Pollini, with its sparkling youthful dynamism.

The five `Morning Songs' belong to Schumann's much later composition period. The aura is much more sober and dark than the other pieces in this dual-set which belong to the composer's earlier period.

Together with Pollini's other Schumann outputs over the span of almost 30 years, these pieces here represent a high-watermark of Schumann interpretation and performance that no serious music lover could afford to miss.

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