Search - Robert Schumann, Mitsuko Uchida :: Schumann: Carnaval; Kreisleriana

A Carnaval of Great Pianism

Paul S. Rottenberg | Ft. Lauderdale, FL | 01/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I always knew Mitsuko Uchida would be a great Schumann pianist, and I was right. This disc contains what is probably the finest, most exciting performance of "Kreisleriana" on record. Uchida judges tempos perfectly, and her phrasing makes more sense of this difficult music than anyone, including Horowitz. Indeed, the playing is so secure and brillant that it almost sounds like a live improvisation, which is exactly what Sachumann has in mind in most of his piano works. The only other pianst who plays Schumann this well is Martha Argerich, but I think Uchida is better focused, and she doesn't "go off the tracks" as Argerich sometimes does.



"Carnaval" is equally well played, and all the kaleidoscopic fantasy comes through perfectly. I love this music, and this performance brought a broad smile to my face, since this piece is even more about the youthful ardor of early Romanticism than the other. In addition, Uchida plays the "Sphinxes" section, which only Rachmaninov played.

Finally, I have to mention the excellent notes included in this release. They are some of the most interesting and relevant I've seen on this music. Phillips, please give us more Schumann with Uchida!"

Uchida owns it.

Dontknowwhattoputhere | Cleveland, OH | 08/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some players are right for certain composers. Uchida is right for Mozart, and she is right for Schumann. When you listen, one thinks, "oh, that's what Schumann meant!". I recently like Yundi Li's Vienna recital on Carnaval, but this overtakes it. Holy Moly...."