Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op. 16 - CD

Long recognized as a supreme Schumann interpreter, one of “unfaltering poise” and “magisterial talent” (Gramophone), Maurizio Pollini recorded a wide selection of solo works and the Piano Concerto (with Abbado) between 1973 and 2001.

His C major Fantasy from the Seventies or his Davidsbündlertänze from 2001 are revered recordings.

Here, in a single box for the first time, are all of his acclaimed Schumann recordings on Deutsche Grammophon.

The great Hungarian pianist Géza Anda was born in Budapest in 1921, and studied with Dohnanyi, who provides a direct link to Brahms, and the great virtuoso composer pianist Eugen D’Albert. He died aged only 55 in 1976. Furtwangler called Anda ‘the troubadour of the piano’, and he was indeed a philosopher-virtuoso. His career was devoted to finding the perfect balance between head and heart, intellect and instinct. The first pianist to record all the Mozart concertos, he was also capable of producing a big heroic sound which led to him acquiring a large repertoire in which he could display his gift for panoramic sound painting. Two composers are especially associated with Anda – Bartók and Schumann, and it is the latter of these two masters that is featured on two of the CDs in this four CD set. CD4 contains two recordings of the fearsome Études symphoniques, made in 1943 in his firebrand youth and 20 years later, at the peak of his maturity. His mastery of Beethoven and Schubert is evident on CD1 where the transition from the classical to the romantic age is apparent in Anda’s extraordinary performance of Schubert’s last sonata. The Beethoven is startling, unconventional, thought provoking and in places uneven – intellect winning over instinct perhaps? Anda questions the composer, challenges the listener, and earns our respect in doing so.

A must for all lovers of the piano and its great performers

Recording details; Beethoven 1961 · Schubert 1963 · Chopin 1959 · Etude op25/5, Mazurka Nos. 47 and 49 1943 · Liszt La Campanella 1942 · Mephisto Waltz 1966 · Schumann 1966

Anda’s interpretations of these works was constantly evolving, so these performances will differ from those he made for EMI

The Schumann recordings are among the greatest ever made of this repertoire.