Search - Robert Schumann, Claudio Abbado, Maria João Pires :: Maria João Pires ~ Schumann - Piano Concerto · Piano Quintet / COE · Abbado - Dumay · Caussé · Capuçon · Wang

Schumann under Pires' hands...

cesar | 06/01/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"There are a lot of superb recordings of Schumann Piano Concerto that is not showy at all but that is full of introvert fantasy, which means that this is a very difficult concerto for a pianist to bring off. I am always having a feeling that when one plays Schumann, he/she has to play with solid technique while he/she has to be "off the ground" almost to reach insanity. Really difficult.Anyway, her playing in the concerto is very solid and her planning is so clear-cut, but she could not really reach such insanity or fantasy. That is sad, because I know that she could have been reached there as she did in Schumann "Waldszenen" on Deutche Gramophone and Erato labels.I like her "slowness" that is sometimes criticized by a few piano listners (who I think tend to judge pianists by their fast fingerworks), though. Such slowness gives her playing soothing beauty, a virtue that I am having a hard time to find in any other current pianists.In the quintet, Pires is radiant, inspired, and full of musical intelligence. Her playing is clearly driving all other players, especially in the majestic last movement.Even if you do not like her concerto playing on this CD, please do not push "stop" there."

Pires plays seamlessly with an ideal tempo

Blygman | Paris, France | 04/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I compared almost 30 interpretations of the Schumann piano concerto and ended up with 3 : Abbado/Pires, Karajan/Zimerman and a surprising one : "Robert Schumann: Meisterwerke Zum Kennenlernen" with the czech pianist Marian Lapsansky. 1) Pires plays with so much delicacy and introspection, the flow of keytrokes is seamless : very refreshing and compelling esp. for the 1st & 2nd movement. 2) Zimerman displays great virtuosity without playing too fast, esp. in the 3rd movement which is arresting. 3) the czech interpretation lays in-between. I was surprised an unknown interpretation could be that good."

A Uniquely Splendid Schumann Piano Concerto from Pires

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 12/07/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ms. Pires's performance of Schumann's piano concerto surely counts not only as among the slowest, but most graceful I've heard. Here she emphasizes lyricism over dramatic keyboard pyrotechnics and succeeds admirably, I think, in a vividly fresh intrepretation that deserves considerable attention from critics and fans alike. Her partnership with Claudio Abbado and the Chamber Orchestra of Europe is excellent too, showing her warm affinity for the conductor and his orchestra. Of course their playing is also superb, replete lively, warm, lyrical playing from the winds and strings. The Schumann Piano Quintet seems at first glance to be an odd coupling, yet here again Ms. Pires excels in yet another lyrical performance, underscored by the excellent playing of violinist Dumay, cellist Wang and the others. The sound quality is up to Deustche Grammophon's excellent standards. While this may not be a primary recommendation for Schumann's piano concerto, it certainly comes close."