Search - Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Franz Schmidt, Leon Fleisher :: Korngold/ Schmidt: Music for Strings & Piano Left Hand

NOVEL AND WELL DONE!

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 12/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here's a fine coupling of two rather rare chamber works, tailored by two rather curious late-Romantic composers for the rather iconoclastic and fascinating left-handed pianist, Paul Wittgenstein. (1882-1961).



Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897-1957) wrote three works for Wittgenstein: the present Suite, Op. 23, the youthful Piano Quintet, Op. 15 and the uncanny Piano Concerto, Op. 17. They are all quite good.



The Suite, Op. 23 is a brilliantly-conceived "amalgam" of five movements, held together by the centrally-located "Groteske," aptly-named. Not one movement flags, or fails to hold our interest. Korngold consistently touches or amuses or bedazzles. He has a naturally tuneful bent and a mischievous quirkiness that are memorable, indeed. His penchant for invention, as well, is truly admirable.



Franz Schmidt (1874-1939), in his Piano Quintet, is equally intriguing and melodious. Most noteworthy is the particularly gorgeous Adagio. Schmidt, on the surface, may appear to be the more "conventional" composer (afterall, he is Korngold's senior by twenty years), but appearances are deceiving; his music is just as forward-looking and memorably-cast as his youthful contemporary.



Kudos to the stellar ensemble involved--- and especially to pianist Fleisher, whose playing is exceptional. The sound picture is warm and intimate; every trill, every low cello note, every piano cascade is captured realistically intact.



These may be arcane compositions for most, but they are most certainly attractive and accessible.



[Running time: 75:10]



"

Terrific!

SwissDave | Switzerland | 10/19/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Comparatively rarely heard, beautiful chamber works, an array of great artists, probably definitive interpretations and one of Sony's best-sounding modern recordings. Quite honestly, I'd ordered this for two reasons only: I'm becoming (or already have been?) a Leon Fleisher completist, plus could not believe Sony (not always my favourite classical record company and/or licence owner when it comes to their policy regarding all the hidden treasures in their back catalogue - not least Fleisher's!) would even have bothered recording and marketing this repertoire unless these were real gems - which is precisely what they are!



Greetings from Switzerland, David."

Very special disc - very special Korngold & excellent schmid

Mr. DAVID Geer | Sydney Australia | 10/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this and another Korngold chamber music disc (at full price) when in New York recently. Needless to say this bargain priced disc is the clear winner! Why? well the music is different, quirky almost but then much of Korngold is, which is why he so easily crosses the line from serious music to apparently less serious music (though his film scores are arguably equally serious it's just the films that weren't always very serious!) but in fact he was always a master! The Schmidt is equally pleasant and the playing is delightful in both, for some reason my CD stops in track 9 in a few places, I suspect its the pressing or the transfer but when you realize it does it on 2 different players and you can't see a scratch on the disc etc you sort of live with it!!! I can hardly return it to NYC from Australia for the price I paid and wouldn't part with it anyway! Read the other guys reviews for more details - I just love it and recognize it as very special music and matching performances!



Greetings from Sydney, Australia, David"