Search - David Golub :: Tchaikovsky: Humoreske, Op. 10, No. 2 - Schumann: Humoresque, Op. 20 - Rachmaninoff: Humoresque, Op.

DREAMSCAPES AND LANDSCAPES

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 09/02/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What an odd musical creation the "humoresque" is, so apt to whimsically change its emotional center or manifest itself, either briefly or at length, with portents both capricious and urgent. Pianist Golub's "fascination" with these inherent contradictions, since childhood, he writes in the liner notes, obviously inspired him to formulate this intriguing and unique compilation. Schumann's Humoresque, Op. 20 epitomizes best the manic and depressive lengths and depths this genre can be taken to, the subtle nuances that are innate within a generally fragmented, or seemingly so, composition, and remains one of the composer's most poignant works. Golub's treatment is outstandingly sympathetic; frenetic moments garner just the right amount of hysteria, balanced alternately with episodes of pure, unadulterated and divine lyricism. Dvorak's Humoresques, Op. 101, unlike Schumann's fabulous precedent, are a set of piano pieces written during his "American Period," and the "flavor," obvious from the opening Vivace, is omnipresent and delicious. So few pianists have recorded these attractive vignettes that it makes their appearance here that much more valuable, especially given such glowing and warm-hearted renditions. Particularly lovely are Nos. 3 (Poco andante e molto cantabile), 4 (Poco andante) and, yes, the popular No. 7 in G-flat (Poco lento e grazioso). Pleasing, as well, are the humoresques of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Joseph Suk that bookend, buffer and round out. Golub is given recorded sound worthy of his moxie and merit. (Special mention, too, should be made about the quirky black and white noir album cover of Golub--- rather a "humoresque" for the eyes, as it were--- and the pianist's interesting, self-effacing autobiographical/musical liner notes.)



[Running time: 64:34]"