Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variation #1
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #2
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #3
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #4
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #5
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #6
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #7
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #8
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #9
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #10
Variations On A Theme By Schumann, Op. 23: Variations #11
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #1
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #2
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #3
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #4
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #5
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #6
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #7
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #8
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #9
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #10
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #11
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #12
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #13
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #14
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #15
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: 16 Waltzes #16
Souvenir de la Russie, Anh. IV - 6: Russian National Anthem
Souvenir de la Russie, Anh. IV - 6: The Branch
Souvenir de la Russie, Anh. IV - 6: Do Not Wake Her At Dawn
Souvenir de la Russie, Anh. IV - 6: The Nightingale
Souvenir de la Russie, Anh. IV - 6: There's A Big Nillage On the Road
Souvenir de la Russie, Anh. IV - 6: 'KOCA' (The Plait)
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Forego, Heart, Escape
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Gloomy Shades Of The Night
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: On Each Hand The Fingers I Had Covered With Rings
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Black Eyes, You Only May Sign To Me
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Protect, Protect Your Son, Neighbor
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Put Roses On Mother for Me
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: From Mountains Heavy Showers Are Coming in Waves
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Tender Grasses In The Quarter
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Preying Upon My Heart, I Feel A Poison
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: I Sweetly Fondle Such And Such
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: All, All You Say to Me, You Flatterer, Is In Vain
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Black Forest, Your Shadow Is So Dismal
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: No, Beloved, Do Not Sit Down So Close To Me
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: Eye Of Flames, Dark Hair
15 Neue Liebeslieder Waltzes, Op. 65a: 'In the End': Now Then, Muses, No More Of This
Much as I love Brahms, only about half this music is worth hearing. The Schumann Variations is a heartfelt piece based on a theme written by Schumann, Brahms's mentor, in a delirium. The Waltzes, not Brahms's most profound... more » music, are charming and filled with gracious melodies. But the Souvenir de la Russie is early hackwork that Brahms obviously didn't take seriously (he published it under a pseudonym). And even if Brahms permitted the Neue Liebeslieder waltzes to be played without the voices, they sound very empty and uninteresting that way. Since the pianists are excellent, the timing is generous, and the price is low, the disc is still worth buying. But stop it halfway through. --Leslie Gerber« less
Much as I love Brahms, only about half this music is worth hearing. The Schumann Variations is a heartfelt piece based on a theme written by Schumann, Brahms's mentor, in a delirium. The Waltzes, not Brahms's most profound music, are charming and filled with gracious melodies. But the Souvenir de la Russie is early hackwork that Brahms obviously didn't take seriously (he published it under a pseudonym). And even if Brahms permitted the Neue Liebeslieder waltzes to be played without the voices, they sound very empty and uninteresting that way. Since the pianists are excellent, the timing is generous, and the price is low, the disc is still worth buying. But stop it halfway through. --Leslie Gerber
CD Reviews
From The Deeply Serious To The Unashamedly Popular
John Middleton | Auckland, NZ | 03/23/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a 'must have' disc for Brahms lovers, even if just for the first item - Variations on a Theme by Schumann, Op. 23. Schumann's solemn melody was written while 'recuperating' in a mental asylum, after having suffered a serious breakdown and suicide attempt. Schumann then wrote a short set of simple variations on that melody - his last known composition. Brahms of course knew the poignancy surrounding the creation of this piece and out of veneration for his sorely missed friend and mentor followed suit with his own set, five years after Schumann's death in the same asylum. This is deeply felt and in places vibrant music, immaculately crafted and very beautiful.
The two sets of waltzes (Opp. 39 & 65a) included on this disc are light and delicious and played with such infectious enthusiasm that I defy any music lover not to be captivated by them. As for the remaining piece, Souvenir de la Russie, it is even lighter, consisting of his arrangements of and fantasies on popular tunes. Being Brahms' earliest surviving composition (dating from his teens), it is worth having for that reason alone.
The two pianists are unimaginably united in their conception and delivery of this wonderful repertoire, not to mention technically brilliant. Sound is crisp and clear. What more could you want?
"
Very good CD
John Middleton | 06/15/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Very good album, very good interpretation. I bought it together with the slavonic dances from Dvorak, same people playing, it is even better than the Brahms."
Track Listings (48) - Disc #1