Search - :: Imogen Cooper Plays Schumann & Brahms / BBC Music Volume III Number 10 / CD

Warm

David Saemann | 04/21/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD shows what a crime it is that the major record labels have ignored the art of Imogen Cooper. The recordings were made at a recital in London's Wigmore Hall in 1994. The sound is full but rather distant, favoring the big virtuoso statements of Schumann over the intimacies of Brahms. Indeed, the Brahms Fantasies are somewhat neutral in their appearance here, although I suspect that's not Cooper's fault. The Humoresque receives an unusually coherent performance. I heard Horowitz do this in concert, and I came away from that experience with a respect for how hard it is to hold this piece together. Cooper succeeds admirably, and there is bravura in her account where it's required. Kreisleriana receives an alternately strong and subtle performance. The ending is plaintive sounding, while the big moments have plenty of strength. While not a perfect disc, this is an inexpensive way to come to grips with Imogen Cooper's artistry, and as such is worthy of your attention."