Search - Perahia, Schumann :: Davidsbundlertanze/Fantasiestucke (RMST)

Fine Schumann by the Young Murray Perahia

Doug - Haydn Fan | California | 08/05/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Perahia over the years has emerged as a classicist at heart, and these very early recordings from the beginning of his career certainly already strongly suggest his affinity for delineation over extroversion, Apollo over Dionysus. Yet throughout the short numbers making up the whole of Schumann's two compositions on the Cd, Perahia offers many striking and fully Romantic moments: the twin pulls of Schumann's artistic psyche are not neglected for one side of the whole, but instead they here receive an outstanding and remarkable representation, even as the pianist by nature keeps the ragged wild side in line.



The Davidsbundler, the revised version of Schumann's Davidsbundlertanze, usually tend to diffuse readings - not here! Perahia sets out to coordinate the entire work and achieves a limpid, brilliant clarity throughout. This is not exactly how I would normally expect or desire Schumann's piano music to be played, but it works very well. There are high points here, though, in the midst of the pianist's care and refinement at elicitating musical architecture. (Meaning you can distinctly follow Schumann's counterpart as it weaves about.)



The second selection, The Fantastiestucke, or Fantasy Pieces, or even Fantastic Pieces, finds the young master in full command of the keyboard, producing lovely sounds and giving a great deal of variety for each of the musical episodes in a most possessed, assured technical manner. This is playing of a very high standard!



This is a reissue of a Cd that had been discontinued and become very expensive indeed if you could find it new. So it's a pleasure to note its return to the catalog, and at the low budget price. Veru solid recommendation - and a must listen for anyone who loves the music of Schumann!



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