Uchida’s Schumann.
- Schumann: Piano Works
The selections on this CD are:
- Waldszenen, Op. 82
- Gesänge der Frühe (5), Op. 133
- Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
Performed by Mitsuko Uchida (piano)
One of the world’s foremost Schumann interpreters explores his late piano works. Mitsuko Uchida, acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost Schumann interpreters, follows her last album of the composer’s music (Davidsbündlertänze and Fantasie in C) with another wonderful Schumann program.
Uchida’s latest recording brings together the romantic fire and intensity of the Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor Op. 22 with two remarkable works from Schumann’s final years, Waldszenen and the Gesänge der Frühe.
Her album’s repertoire explores music created by an artist burdened by deep depression and mental illness. His ‘Gesänge der Frühe’ (“Songs of Dawn”) were sketched within the space of four days in February 1854, shortly before Schumann attempted to commit suicide by throwing himself in the Rhine. The work proved to be his last complete piano composition.
Here are the specific selections:
Robert Schumann: Waldszenen, Op.82
1. Eintritt
2. Jäger auf der Lauer
3. Einsame Blumen
4. Verrufene Stelle
5. Freundliche Landschaft
6. Herberge
7. Vogel als Prophet
8. Jagdlied
9. Abschied
Robert Schumann: Piano Sonata No.2 in G minor, Op.22
1. So rasch wie möglich – Schneller – Noch schneller
2. Andantino
3. Scherzo (Sehr rasch und markiert)
4. Rondo (Presto – Etwas langsamer – Prestissimo, quasi cadenza – Immer schneller und schneller)
Robert Schumann: Gesänge der Frühe, Op.133 (1853)
1. Im ruhigen Tempo
2. Belebt, nicht zu rasch
3. Lebhaft
4. Bewegt
5. Im Anfang ruhiges, im Verlauf bewegtes Tempo
Robert Schumann: Im Herbste
Im Herbste
Here is Ms. Mitsuko Uchida Playing Schumann’s Carnaval, Op. 9:
And next, here is the Mozart sonata in C K.545 2nd movement, performed in an amazingly sensitive way by Mitsuko Uchida, Piano:
Let me end by having you hear a tiny portion of Schumann’s Piano Concerto, with Uchida, Sir Simon Rattle, and the Berliner Philharmoniker:
Tags: Mitsuko Uchida, Schumann, Mozart, piano works