Search - Schumann, Brendel, Sanderlin :: Piano Concerto in a Minor

Two Fine Performances of Schumann's Piano Works

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 08/04/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a highly competitive field, Alfred Brendel offers yet another fine performance of Schumann's Piano Concerto, and an exquisitely brilliant one of Schumann's Fantasy. Although my primary recommendations for this concerto are Grimaud's and Perahia's (especially with Davis and the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra) brilliant, almost transcendental, performances, Brendel offers a lyrical, highly introspective performance that deserves listening. He is backed by the great German conductor Kurt Sanderling and the Philharmonia Orchestra. The Philharmonia Orchestra's performance is first rate; most noteworthy are the wind and string sections. Although Philips' recordings of both Schumann pieces are quite good; the recording quality improves substantially for the Fantasy. Devout Brendel fans will certainly want to acquire this fine recording."

Chaste, detailed, thoughtful -- the Brendel I can take or le

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/24/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I was just talking about Brendel on the phone today with a friend who was about to attend the pianist's farewell concert in Boston, after six decades before the public. Since the beginning I've found Brendel to be dry and emotionally aloof, but my friend pointd out that Brendel finds something to say in every bar -- that's what has made him the thinking man's pianist, never given to extreme showiness but never at a loss for intriguing details and passing nuance.



This recording of the Schumann concerto feels like a typical effort, but on the whole it's warmer and more yielding than the young Brendel used to be. Sanderling's lovely, lyrical accompaniment helps a great deal. He and the pianist create a silken, low-key sound world for Schumannn that has its own kind of seductiveness. Just dn't expect any sparks to be struck -- for those, turn to Argerich or Richter.



Brendel is similarly thoughtful and reticent in the C Major Fantasy, eschewing overt flash in favor of an inward reverie. The performance works on its own terms, but I can't help feeling that Schumann had more passion in mind. For Brendel's fans, there's good news also about the recorded sound. The piano is close up, warm, and never clangy. In all, I can take or leave this CD while recognizing its high quality on musical grounds."