COMPOSERS: Clara Schumann
LABELS: CPO
WORKS: Piano works (complete)
PERFORMER: Jozef de Beenhouwer (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: 999 758-2 Reissue (1990-91)
Stylistically, the still-underrated Clara Schumann is sometimes closer to Mendelssohn than to Schumann himself, writing with the former’s invention, charm and virtuosity, minus the latter’s neurosis. Inter-influence with her husband is clear, however, in works such as her Deuxième Scherzo, Op. 14 (a short step from Schumannesque works like the Faschingsschwank intermezzo); and the realisation that Schumann, to put it bluntly, pinched some of her best ideas comes abruptly when the Mazurka of Clara’s Soirées musicales, Op. 6, begins with the same theme as the Davidsbündlertänze, which it pre-dates. De Beenhouwer’s playing is warm and lively, and it is very good to have all the piano music in one box. Jessica Duchen
Clara Schumann: Piano works (complete)
Stylistically, the still-underrated Clara Schumann is sometimes closer to Mendelssohn than to Schumann himself, writing with the former’s invention, charm and virtuosity, minus the latter’s neurosis. Inter-influence with her husband is clear, however, in works such as her Deuxième Scherzo, Op. 14 (a short step from Schumannesque works like the Faschingsschwank intermezzo); and the realisation that Schumann, to put it bluntly, pinched some of her best ideas comes abruptly when the Mazurka of Clara’s Soirées musicales, Op.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 1:20 pm