Search - Johann Baptist Cramer, Henri Herz, Robert Schumann :: Tribute to Paganini, Vol. 2

A great recording for both completists and general pianophil

Hexameron | 02/01/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those who had the privilege of enjoying the first volume in this Tribute to Paganini series, you can expect an even greater recording in this volume. The amount of pieces you get for the price (I would recommend buying used, though) is well worth it. Unlike the first volume, this one contains two CD's. I'll list the pieces you get here:



CD 1



1. Johann Baptist Cramer - Reminiscences de Paganini

2. Henri Herz - Marche et rondo sur la Clochette

3-8. Robert Schumann - Etudes de concert pour le pianoforte d'apres des caprices de Paganini Op. 10

9. Frederic Chopin - Souvenir de Paganini

10. Franz Liszt - Grande fantaisie de bravoure sur la Clochette de Paganini



CD 2



1. Ignaz Moscheles - Gems a la Paganini; Fantasia No. 3

2-7. Robert Schumann - Etudes pour le pianoforte d'apres des caprices de Paganini Op. 3

8. Henri Herz - Paganini's Last Waltz

9. Henri Herz - Rondo de Paganini

10. Johann Strauss - Walzer a la Paganini Op. 11

11-12. Johannes Brahms - Varitions on a Theme of Paganini Op. 35



What a remarkable repertoire here. Surely any reader of this review would be fascinated by this selection. And I can vouch for the quality of this quantity. The quality of the music is inherent and indepedent of the pianist, but Marco Pasini certainly helps the music with his prolific and powerful style. He plays with all the bravura and virtuosity you can expect in pieces like Liszt's Fantasy on la Clochette. And yet he uncovers the lyricism and energy of Schumann's etudes. Then, in a brilliant excursion, he delves deeply into the Brahms variations, conjuring the vitality and infusing the meticulous phrases of music with tremendous skill. I'm glad Pasini has decided to make world premiere recordings here instead of playing the typical repertoire some of us may be sick of. His chameleon-like pianistic abilities are a gift, and I'm glad he's using them for neglected gems like these.



I think it's safe to say that every piece featured here is attractive and worthy of re-listenings. The highlights, though, must certainly go to the Schumann etudes, the Liszt fantasy, and the Brahms variations. The Op. 10 Schumann etudes are outstanding achievements. Schumann takes Paganini themes and transforms them as if they were his own original compositions. He elaborates and weaves more musical ideas out of them, concentrating on graceful harmony, texturizing the melodic ideas, and creating a cerebral experience for the listener. It's as if Paganini's simple caprice melodies are mere cells and Schumann allows them to grow into living organisms. Of Op. 10, every single etude is exceptional and wonderful to have. My particular favorite is No. 6; how long can Schumann sustain a stream of gorgeous but poignant arpeggios? Almost throughout the entire piece, with a scherzo-like central section being the only contrast. The whole etude is a grand inspiration and one that should generate more appreciation for Schumann's genius. His Op. 3 etudes are straight-forward transcriptions of Paganini's caprices, with occasional embellishments, doublings or harmonizations. All of them are tastefully done and rich in music content; Paganini's endearing themes are all there, but Schumann's pianistic signature is imprinted onto each bar.



The Liszt fantasy is a rarity in the concert hall and yet this glorious work showcases Liszt's propensity for looking to, indeed, the music of the future. This was written when he was twenty-three and it already looks forward to late Romantic dissonance. There are incredibly modern intervals found here and yet the whole piece retains the Romantic virtuosic flavor of a young fiery Liszt. Like Brahms, Liszt summons a whole arsenal of variations and embellishments of the Clochette theme; intertwined with virtuoso variations are some pretty dramatic interludes typical of Liszt's style. Unless you get Leslie Howard's recording of this on Hyperion's expensive disc, you'll be hard pressed to find this anywhere else.



Although the Brahms variations are not new, Pasini is in his own league here with the musicality, the interpretation, and the crisp articulation of each variation. His touch ebbs with both intellect and emotion, a perfect combination for these colossal variations. While most adore the Haydn variations, I have to say I think the Paganini and Handel are his best.



Regarding the other pieces from Cramer, Chopin, Herz and Moscheles, they are unique and would take too many paragraphs to praise. Suffice to say, Cramer's reminiscences is a fantastic late-classical work with both exciting and melodic moments; Herz makes a good march out of the Bell Rondo, one that is actually memorable and original; Chopin's Souvenir de Paganini is typically nocturnal but as is always the case with Chopin, immaculately beautiful; the Moscheles fantasia is a high-quality potpourri, but I actually prefer his first two from the previos volume. Lastly, the J Strauss waltz is the least appealing, but I find his waltzes extremely monotous and boring anyway, so don't take my word for it; some may like it.



Bottom line: This disc will make you Paganini-crazy and you'll have Paganini melodies playing in your head all night. But for pianophiles, curious collectors, and the fanatical completists, this recording is invaluable, if not essential. Where else can you find such a plethora of *good* piano works that just happen to be based off of Paganini's music? If not for the world premiere recordings, I highly recommend buying this for the Schumann etudes and the Liszt fantasy; they are monumental works that should be returned to the eminent spotlight of the concert hall."