Search - Dohnanyi, Lawrence Schubert :: Piano Works 2

Interesting unknown music

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 02/26/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"After a wait of almost four years, here is the second volume of the Naxos recordings of the piano music of Ernö Dohnányi (1877-1960). The first volume, a real winner, featured pianist Markus Pawlik. This issue, recorded in 1996, features New York pianist Lawrence Schubert and from the enclosed booklet it appears this may be his last recording before he retired from playing because of physical problems. The music included encompasses almost sixty years of Dohnányi's composing life, and the pieces are recorded in chronological order, giving us a chance to see how his musical language evolved over the years. The first piece, the Capriccio in B minor, Op. 2, No. 4, is the only one with which I was familiar. It is a student work and at first blush sounds like it could have come from the late piano works of Brahms, with a good dollop of Schumannesque Legendton thrown in. Next are the six Winterreigen (Winter Dances), Op. 13, from six years later. One hears more chromaticism than in the earlier work and indeed some influence, however slight, from the emerging French impressionist movement. For me, the most immediately attractive is the 'Valse aimable' which has a lovely impressionistic delicacy. Also striking is 'Morgengrauen' with its softly tolling octaves, anticipating Ravel's later 'Le gibet' from 'Gaspard de la nuit.' Six Piano Pieces, Op. 41, takes us suddenly to the mid-1940s and there is a striking change in Dohnányi's style here. Indeed, if his highly chromatic and irregular 'Ländler' (No. 5), with its amusing side-slipping harmonies, wasn't influenced by Prokofiev's piano writing, I'd be very surprised. The first piece, 'Impromptu,' is chromatic in a Wagnerian sense and there is an harmonic homage to (or perhaps a poke at) Tristan. The final set, Three Singular Pieces, Op. 44, is from 1951 and here we find Dohnányi in high spirits. The 'Burletta' is even more Prokofievan then 'Ländler', with its trademarked sforzandi and time signature changes. It seems to end in the wrong key and then after a 'confused pause' [according to the funny and informative notes by pianist Schubert] it scurries to a conventional finish in the 'right' key, almost as if Teacher had just come back in the room. One wouldn't think the second piece 'Nocturne' would be high-spirited, and indeed it isn't in its first quiet, pensive section, but then, true to its subtitle 'Cats of the Roof,' we hear gentle meows that eventuate in a chase. The final piece, 'Perpetuum mobile,' is a devilish toccata that ends the set, and the disc, in a flurry of excitement.Adding to the enjoyment of this disc are the informative and often wry booklet notes by our pianist, Lawrence Schubert. One nice twist is that he writes from the point of view of the performer with such comments as 'a hilarious bout of musical insanity designed to send pianists to the emergency room.' Unfortunately, I have to add that the performances themselves are a bit careful and the pianist has an unfortunate tendency to slap you in the face with his sforzandi. He is not helped by the piano's somewhat clanging tone in places; this might be the fault of the otherwise fine recorded sound."

Marvelous piano music

Robert Badger | Philadelphia, PA | 10/23/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've only known Dohnanyi's music for about a year now. However, getting to know Dohnanyi has been a rewarding experience. He was a great pianist, a marvelous conductor from all accounts, and as this recording proves, a highly talented composer with a terrific sense of humour.



Dohnanyi was something of a conservative. While he did promote the work of his fellow countrymen Bartok and Kodaly, he chose to work in older forms and with more conservative harmony. He was greatly inspired with the works of the Austro-German tradition. This should be no reason to discount his work. He was a terrifically gifted composer whose work deserves to be more widely known.



This recording, and other recordings by Naxos present a marvelous opportunity to get to know one of Hungary's greatest musical talents. Dohnanyi is very much worth getting to know."

Exciting Virtuoso Performance

C. Lutker | Northport, NY United States | 03/06/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"While Dohnanyi may not be well known for his piano compositions, this is truly an exciting CD and should make both the composer and pianist better known and appreciated.
There is so much going on dynamically that makes this music worth listening to many times. I find it to be much more interesting and better playing than another recent Dohnanyi piano release. As I write these comments, we are in a blizzard, and I find myself hearing the "Winterreigen" in my mind. Also, the liner notes by Mr. Schubert are interesting and informative."