Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor; Etudes symphoniques, Op. 13; Arabeske, Op. 18

The Schumann concerto, for all that these are world-class performers, appears ill at ease in this recording. The tempi are strained and the tension between soloist and orchestra seems more abrasive than constructive. There are no obviously musical deficiencies, but the lyrical soul of the piece has been hijacked by a somewhat misplaced sense of drama. In the solo pieces, particularly the beguiling Arabesque, Pollini is much more relaxed. Christopher Lambton

Our rating

3

Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:31 pm

COMPOSERS: Schumann
LABELS: DG Masters
WORKS: Piano Concerto in A minor; Etudes symphoniques, Op. 13; Arabeske, Op. 18
PERFORMER: Maurizio Pollini (piano)Berlin PO/Claudio Abbado
CATALOGUE NO: 445 522-2 DDD (1990/84)

The Schumann concerto, for all that these are world-class performers, appears ill at ease in this recording. The tempi are strained and the tension between soloist and orchestra seems more abrasive than constructive. There are no obviously musical deficiencies, but the lyrical soul of the piece has been hijacked by a somewhat misplaced sense of drama. In the solo pieces, particularly the beguiling Arabesque, Pollini is much more relaxed. Christopher Lambton

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