John Lill Plays Brahms & Schumann Piano Signum

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I can think of two reasons why this CD is an attractive purchase. John Lill is one of the world’s finest interpreters of both Schumann and Brahms. He opens Schumann’s ever-green Fantasie with magisterial power before recreating this simple musical edifice as though there were no problems in its projection. Here is one of those rare accounts of a masterpiece from a composer who knows exactly what he wants and almost manages to put it down, by a player who knows exactly what is needed and delights in communicating it.

The three Opus 117 Intermezzi delightfully serious while the great series of 25 Variations, culminating in a Fugue which would have greatly pleased Handel himself, remains one of the greatest keyboard works in the repertory. I really hope this release is soon to be followed by more from John Lill, surely among the giants of English musicians."

Denby Richards

Musical Opinion - May-June 2006

I can think of at least two reasons why this CD is and attractive purchase. John Lill is one of the world’s finest interpreters of both Schumann and Brahms.

He opens Schumann’s evergreen Fantasie with magisterial power before recreating this far from simple musical edifice as though there were no problems to its projection. Here is one of those rare accounts of a masterpiece from a composer who knows exactly what he wants and almost manages to put it down, by a player who knows exactly what is needed and delights in communicating it.

The three Opus 117 Intermezzi are delightfully serious while the great series of 25 Variations, culminating in a Fugue which would have greatly pleased Handel himself, remains one of the greatest keyboard works in the repertory.

I really hope that this release is soon to be followed by more from John Lill, surely among the giants of English musicians."

Denby Richards

Musical Opinion - May/June 2006

EMI’s disc of Lill’s Schumann Fantasie was released a couple of years ago, quirkily issued simultaneously on LP. This is an earlier (2000) recording of the same work receiving its first release. It is preferable in every way - sound, conception and performance - one of the noblest accounts on disc, despite some over stressed passages in the last movement. After Brahm’s three autumnal Intermezzi, Lill launches into Brahm’s mighty Handel Variations. He again he is on top form, with playing of compelling conviction topped off with a magnificent final fugue." ****

Jeremy Nicolas

Classic Fm - May 2006

Lill allows the music to emerge gloriously free of extra-musical association with intellectual clarity to have one listening to those glorious works afresh. A recording truly worthy of celebration."

Simon Hodges

International Piano

This is a very exquisite piano recording of works by Schuman and Brahms. All tracks are excellent and expertly played by piano virtuoso John Lill. From his first piano recital at nine, John Lill has over fifty years of concert career and has travelled to over fifty countries. The album is well recorded and the piano sounds clear without any harshness all the way from the low to the high notes. The dynamic range is excellent and it does not appear to be compressed as is unfortunately getting common. I will highly recommend this album to any piano music lover.

I Andrew

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