Search - Robert Schumann, Stephen Gunzenhauser, Lisbon Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra :: Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54

A superb interpretation and an incredibly refined performanc

J. Anderson | Italy | 08/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I myself am an aspiring pianist and have performed the Schumann concerto. In preparing for my own performance, I shopped around for recordings of this concerto, and bought those of Sequeira Costa, Radu Lupu, Evgeny Kissin, and Artur Rubenstein. I like each of these recordings, but Costa's is my favorite. Obviously, of these men all are great pianists, and I would not feel qualified to rank one above another, but Costa's playing to me reflects most perfectly Schumann's intentions. Costa's cadenza in particular stands out as the most exhilarating. His maturity, refinement, and grace are especially appropriate and crucial for this beautiful piece. When I saw the price at which it was listed, I was shocked. Though it's a great bargain, this CD really does deserve to be priced on par with the other recordings I mentioned above. The more one listens to this concerto, the more one loves it, and I can say the same about this recording."

Brilliant soloist, highly professional orchestra

Leslie Richford | Selsingen, Lower Saxony | 06/26/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Robert Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54; Introduction and Allegro appassionato, Op. 92; Introduction and Allegro, Op. 134. Performed by Sequeira Costa, piano, and the Gulbenkian Orchestra, directed by Stephen Gunzenhauser. Originally released on Marco Polo. Rereleased as Naxos 8.550277 in 1990. Total playing time: ca. 58 minutes.



This CD is another example of how Naxos managed to unsettle the classical music market in the 90's. It was not just the low price that did it; there were other companies around producing low-cost CDs. It was the combination of low price and real quality that made the difference. This Schumann recording appears to have been one of Naxos's first rereleases from its more expensive sister-label Marco Polo, and the quality is never in doubt. Not only does the distinguished Portuguese pianist give a splendid performance of the solo part, weaving filigree patterns in and out of the orchestral playing, but also the engineers have done their part, ensuring that the Gulbenkian Orchestra (a highly professional troupe who regularly recorded for Warner) is an equal partner in music that impressed Clara Schumann in its balance of solo brilliance and orchestral texture. Conductor Stephen Gunzenhauser, whom I have criticized for his performance of Rachmaninov (which I found "disintegrated"), seems completely at home with this more standard romantic repertoire, producing a performance which, while not perhaps "spectacular", is certainly good enough to hold the rapt attention of this listener. The two "Introductions with Allegro" which are added as fillers are equally well-done, in themselves being miniature piano concertos with some dramatic outbreaks.



Naxos have recorded this repertoire a number of times with their "star" pianists such as Jenö Jandó or Idil Biret, Schumann's piano concerto being a really popular evergreen that is often programmed for concerts. The Costa disc appears to have been deleted from the catalogue at the time of writing (2009). But if you can obtain it, you need have no qualms about the quality, this is an excellent production."