Schumann

Christopher Glynn continues his Lieder in English series by joining three of today’s foremost singers to perform Robert Schumann’s best-loved song cycles in new English versions by Jeremy Sams – a new way to encounter and enjoy some of the most romantic and atmospheric songs ever composed.

Schumann's career very nearly took a very direction. He had planned to be a writer and a lawyer, and it was the experience of hearing Paganini play in 1830 that provided the impetus to set the young man on a path that would eventually see him become one of the great romantic composers. Having chosen this path, (he had dabbled as a composer in his childhood, and his father considered sending him to Weber for tuition). Schumann found composition anything but easy. A pianist of considerable prowess, he worshipped ……..

Robert Schumann - Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy - Piano Works
Abegg Variations, Intermezzi Op. 4, Symphonic Etudes Op. 13
SACD ISO (2.0/MCH): 3,69 GB | 24B/88,2kHz Stereo FLAC: 1,03 GB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Brilliant Classics # 93136 | Country/Year: Canada Germany 2007
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic, Piano

"…The real meat of the disc is the Symphonic Etudes. This is a work that has had two fine portrayals on Super Audio–by Mikhail Pletnev and especially Vladimir Tropp. And while sonically the Schmitt-Leonardy is not in Tropp's league, his is a very moving performance. Again, the first thing I notice is the sense of time and space. Schmitt-Leonardy is at great pains to let every phrase register, to let chords fully decay, and when the spirit calls to rush impetuously forward. This is true Romanitc playing…" ~sa-cd.net

Robert Schumann - Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy - Piano Works
Abegg Variations, Intermezzi Op. 4, Symphonic Etudes Op. 13
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 227 MB | Full Artwork: 34 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Brilliant Classics # 93136 | Country/Year: Germany 2007
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic, Piano

"…The real meat of the disc is the Symphonic Etudes. This is a work that has had two fine portrayals on Super Audio–by Mikhail Pletnev and especially Vladimir Tropp. And while sonically the Schmitt-Leonardy is not in Tropp's league, his is a very moving performance. Again, the first thing I notice is the sense of time and space. Schmitt-Leonardy is at great pains to let every phrase register, to let chords fully decay, and when the spirit calls to rush impetuously forward. This is true Romanitc playing…" ~sa-cd.net

The first true complete recording of Robert Schumann’s works for piano solo on 17 albums (in 15 volumes), played by Florian Uhlig, seeks for the first time to offer imaginative compilations on album (e.g. “Robert Schumann and the Sonata”, “The Young Piano Virtuoso”, “Schumann in Vienna”, “Schumann and Counterpoint”, “Variations”) containing all original works for pianoforte written between 1830 (Abegg Variations op. 1) and 1854 (Ghost Variations) according to the newest critical editions and/or first editions. Several of these albums include premiere recordings. The booklets by Joachim Draheim, who discovered and/or edited a number of the works, shed light on the biographical and musicological background to the works thus coupled.

Clara Schumann's presence in the history of European music has become firmly fixed in recent years: the many new biographies, editions, recordings and performances of her compositions testimony to her significance and influence. Her songs, not as well known as her works for piano, are among the treasures of her creative work and can take their place with the best of the German Lieder repertoire.

Originally written for oboe (unique composition for this instrument), the "Drei Romanzen", Op. 94 were composed in late 1849 when Schumann seemed to be inspired by old legends.