Nicht schnell [. Mit äußerst starker Empfindung] [E.]
4:21
in G minor - in g-Moll - en sol mineur
9.
8
Frisch [F.]
1:02
in C minor - in c-Moll - en ut mineur
10.
9
Lebhaft
1:57
in C major - in C-Dur - en ut majeur
Book II: 19:15
11.
1
Balladenmäßig. Sehr rasch [F.]
1:35
in D minor/major - in d-Moll/D-Dur - en ré mineur/majeur
12.
2
Einfach [- Schluß] - Ad libitum da Capo [E.]
1:59
in B minor/D major - in h-Moll/D-Dur - en si mineur/ré majeur
13.
3
Mit Humor [F.]
0:45
in B minor/E minor/major - in h-Moll/e-Moll/E-Dur - en si mineur/mi mineur/majeur
14.
4
Wild und lustig - Coda. Schneller - Immer
3:08
schneller und schneller [F. und E.]
in B minor/major - in h-Moll/H-Dur - en si mineur/majeur
15.
5
Zart und singend - Coda [E.]
2:17
in E flat major - in Es-Dur - en mi bémol majeur
16.
6
Frisch [- Schluß] - Ad libitum da Capo senza
2:01
replica [F. und E.]
in B flat major/E flat major - in B-Dur/Es-Dur - en si bémol majeur/mi bémol majeur
17.
7
Mit gutem Humor - Trio. Etwas langsamer -
1:41
in G major/B minor - in g-Dur/h-Moll - en sol majeur/si mineur
18.
8
Wie aus der Ferne - Nach und nach schneller -
3:37
Coda [F. und E.]
in B major/minor - in H-Dur/h-Moll - en si majeur/mineur
19.
9
Nicht schnell
2:08
in C major - in C-Dur - en ut majeur
NB: Performance directions etc. in brackets appeared only in the first edition (1838).
20.
Novellette, Op. 21 (Book I) No. 2 (1838)
6:34
in D major - in D-Dur - en ré majeur
Adolph Henselt zugeeignet
Äußerst rasch und mit Bravour -
Intermezzo. Etwas langsamer, durchaus zart -
Theme sur le nom Abegg varie pour le pianoforte, Op. 1 (1829-30)
8:56
in F major - in F-Dur - en fa majeur
et dédié à Mademoiselle Pauline Comtesse d'Abegg
21.
Tema. Animato -
1:01
22.
Variazione I -
1:00
23.
Variazione II -
1:13
24.
Variazione III -
1:05
25.
Cantabile -
1:23
26.
Finale all Fantasia. Vivace
3:09
Variationen uber ein eigenes Thema, WoO 24, F 39 (1854)
11:54
(Geistervariationen)
in E flat major - in Es-Dur - en mi bémol majeur
Clara Schumann gewidmet
27.
Tema. Leise, innig -
1:35
28.
Variazione I -
1:35
29.
Variazione II. Canonisch -
1:38
30.
Variazione III. Etwas belebter -
1:41
31.
Variazione IV -
1:49
32.
Variazione V
2:17
33.
Tema (unwritten reprise)
1:15
Total time: 75:51
Solo:Imogen Cooper piano
3-6 November 2014
Notes
This third recording by Imogen Cooper on Chandos features some of Robert Schumann’s most characteristic and complex works for solo piano.
Cooper is one of those artists who are reaching a glorious maturity in middle age; she seems to follow in the steps of her teacher Alfred Brendel, her prodigious virtuosity coexisting with lyrical and emotional wisdom.
This album includes the Davidsbündlertänze which she describes as a ‘work of stirring beauty and humour that make it one of the great romantic masterpieces for the piano’.
It also illustrates the journey between two sets of variations: Schumann’s first published and last composed piano pieces. While the ‘Abegg’ is ‘virtuosic, extroverted, challenging to play, and charming’, the Geistervariationen are ‘introverted and sparse, with a deep but elusive emotion’.
Finally, in the two Novelletten Imogen Cooper reveals what she calls the ‘hidden narrative filaments to be discovered’ in Schumann’s music; this requires ‘a skill which is very necessary in the interpretation of scores that frequently appear disjointed and illogical’.
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Reviews
Nominee for 2016 ICMA (International Clasical Music Awards) - Solo Instrument category
“To hear what a fine Schumann pianist Imogen Cooper is and to appreciate what a magical piano tone she can produce, listen first to the ‘Geistervariationed’ on this new CD. Not that there is anything wrong with the rest of the programme here, especially her fresh and direct approach with ‘Abegg’ Variations and her whimsical way with the Davidsbündlertänze ” *****
Carsten Drer - Piano News magazine Germany January/February 2016
Album: ***** (Superb) Sound: 4/5
Alain Lompech - Diapason magazine France - January 2016
**** (Exceptional Album) **** (Excellent Sound)
Michel Le Naour Classica magazine France December 2015/January 2016
Recording of the Month
"...Throughout Imogen Cooper proves to be a wonderful interpreter of Schumann’s music, I only hope that there are more recordings of his music to follow by this artist. Excellent recorded sound and booklet essay add to your enjoyment of this fine disc."
Stuart Sillitoe - MusicWeb-International.com - 6 October 2015
International Piano ‘Choice’
“,,, Cooper remains one of the sovereign pianists: everything she touches exudes integrity, the highest understanding coupled with a melting beauty of sound demonstration-standard sound(Snape Maltings). Production standards are absolutely up to Chandos’ high standards Stunning from all angles.”
Colin Clarke International Piano magazine November/December 2015
Instrumental Choice
Performance ***** Recording *****
“ Every piece is a study in portraiture worthy of ETA Hoffmann”
Jeremy Siepmann BBC Music magazine November 2015
“This is the third of Imogen Cooper’s discs centred around Schumann for Chandos and the first wholly devoted to Robert. It’s a fascinatingly programmed affair Cooper’s readings are unfailingly absorbing.”
Harriet Smith Gramophone magazine October 2015
“ Every musical twist and emotional turn is negotiated with deftness and insight, and the (Snape Maltings) recording is of demonstration quality.” *****
Guy Weatherall - Classical Music magazine October 2015
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