Search - Clara Wieck Schumann, Robert Schumann, Barry Wordsworth :: Robert and Clara Schumann: Piano Concertos

Get This CD for Clara's Unfinished 'Konzertsatz'

JohnL | Alexander, NC United States | 11/24/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"A wonderful idea here, to put on one disc both Robert and Clara's Piano Concertos. There has been some discussion on how or why both of these works happen to be in the same key of A minor. I'm not here to speculate or even comment on this. As far as the performances on this CD, I was a little disappointed in the rendering of Robert's concerto (completed in 1845). Soloist Lucy Parham plays with a lack of sufficient intensity and poetry when either are called for in this wonderful concerto. Many finer versions are available on disc, to be sure. However, I did not purchase this for HIS work. HER's is what I was much more interested in. Firstly, Clara's Concerto (completed in 1836, when she was only 14), fairs slightly better than her husband's here. Granted, it is difficult to find any recordings of this neglected work, so this version is welcome. Lucy Parham plays well enough, but somehow slightly lacks the brilliance that makes this concerto shine. Perhaps the version played by Francesco Nicolosi (on Naxos label) is somewhat better. However, the work I was mainly interested in was Clara's Konzertsatz (concerto movement) in F minor. This is a completed version of a concerto movement she began writing in 1847, intending to give the finished work to her husband on his birthday. Why she never completed it is a matter of speculation. The fragment is clearly labeled "Concerto", and consists of 175 measures, with "solo" and "tutti" (orchestra) indicated in the score. In 1994, Dutch pianist Josef Beenhouwer completed the movement, and it was published by Breitkopf & Hartel. Upon a couple listens, and many subsequent more, this Konzertsatz makes you long for more. It is a work with a noble power, and one is quickly impressed by its spacious beauty. Ms. Parham plays with increasing intensity when necessary, but quiet beauty when called upon. I give the performance of this work 5 stars, but Robert's 3 stars, and Clara's completed early concerto four. So, overall, this is a very welcome disc, especially for the rare Konzertsatz, which is nearly impossible to find at all. Add this to your collection for Clara's unfinished gem, if for nothing else."