Robert Schumann

The next issue in the complete works for piano series on Claves, sees the young dynamic pianist Cédric Pescia record his second album in this delightful series. The first was volume 2 and was extremely well received by the press. Volume 5 will no doubt see a similar reaction.

Pierre Fournier needs no introduction. One of the leading cellist of his generation, he was gifted with the ability to produce the warmest of sound, with an instinct for accentuation and a deep respect for the score. The recordings on this disc emphasize all of this and more, with performances that are still held in high regard with the Genevese concert halls that they were recorded in.

This collection is now available again and at a budget price. Included are Schubert’s Piano Sonatas Nos 16 and 17, as well as Schumann’s 3 Novelletten Op.21, Fantasiestücke Op.12, Humoreske in B flat major Op.20. These recordings were made from 1956-1960.

Miki Yumihari was born in Japan and started playing the piano at the age of 3. She is a winner of the Artists International Piano award and gave her New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall in the 1996/97 season to great critical acclaim. This recital includes Schumann’s Kinderszenen Op.15 and Fantasie in C Major Op.17.

Performing a huge variety of Lieder by different composers of the classic, romantic and modern era, Daniel Behle has presented himself as a significant interpreter of Lieder. His release of Die Schöne Müllerin (CAP5044) was highly praised internationally and was a MusicWeb recording of the month.

Performances by the Georgian pianist Eliso Virsaaldze are great events and she is appreciated worldwide. She is particularly associated with romantic composers. Richter wrote; “She’s an artist of a great scale… the most powerful female pianist of her time…”. This unforgettable concert was given in the Great Hall of the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory in March 1977.

Both of these transcriptions pay great attention to the instrumental colours and have very precise pedal marks. This brother and sister duo, Duo Palmas, was formed in 1998 and has won first prize in numerous national and international competitions and has been praised by critics.