Kreisleriana Schumann Argerich

This recording is really good. Firstly, about the sound quality. Although this recording was made in 1984, the Deutsche-Grammophon sound is clear, full, and crisp. Now about the performance. This is the most extraordinary Kreisleriana I have ever heard. It's beautiful, tender, raw, wise - but none of these adjectives do it justice. It's best to just get it & listen. When this recording is on, I and everybody I'm with, even if we were busy doing something before, inevitably find ourselves just listening later on.

June 8, 2010 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of robert Schumann, one of the most important romantic composers of the 19th century. To celebrate his vast and impressive output, Deutsche Grammophon and Decca have compiled this 35-CD box set of his most important masterworks. Though this is not a complete edition, it includes every major work and a number of rarities covering every aspect of Schumann’s output.

For over 40 years Martha Argerich's recordings on Deutsche Grammophon have remained in the catalog and many are still best sellers. This 8-CD collection presents re-issues of eight solo LP recitals made between 1960 and 1983. The recordings have been remastered and are presented in chronological order, as originally programmed, with the original LP cover art on the individual sleeves. In addition, a booklet with new program notes and rare photos is included with the set. These performances are essential listening and constitute some of the greatest recordings of solo piano music available. (Source: amazon.com)

This is Volume 1 in Imogen Cooper’s new series on Chandos Records, dedicated to the complete works for piano by Robert Schumann. Recognised worldwide as a pianist of virtuosity and poetic poise, Imogen Cooper has established a reputation as one of the finest interpreters of the classical and romantic repertoire. She has dazzled audiences and orchestras throughout her distinguished career, bringing to the concert platform a unique musical understanding and lyrical quality.

For over 40 years Martha Argerich's recordings on Deutsche Grammophon have remained in the catalog and many are still best sellers. This 8-CD collection presents re-issues of eight solo LP recitals made between 1960 and 1983.

This release of broadcasts from 1959 and 1967 promises to add six new works to the Argerich discography. The truth is that nearly all the pieces here - with only one significant exception - have long been available (in other performances) on Argerich "pirates." The performances on this disc will tell Argerich's fans little, if anything, they don't already know about her: That few pianists have ever played such treacherous works as the C-sharp minor Etude, op. 10 no. 4, with such virtuosity, musicality and panache; that Argerich - despite favoring extremely fast tempos - plays the Mazurkas, Chopin's most personal and subtle works, with a vibrancy that makes her one of the great masters of this genre.

While Pollini's Schumann is not to everyone's taste – some find his virtuoso playing too cool and his bracing interpretations too intellectual – for those who revere Pollini, his Schumann is a tonic after nearly two centuries of sloppy and sentimental performance practice. Pollini's Davidsbündlertänze may not be as poetic as Arrau's and his Kreisleriana may not be as fantastic as Argerich's, but he finds meanings and significances in the works that no one ever has before. Pollini's Concert sans orchestre and Allegro in B minor are second to none in technical panache and interpretive aplomb. DG's piano sound is as real as playing the piano.