Schumann: Complete Symphonic Works Vol. IV

Kopatchinskaja is typically bold and provocative in Schumann’s Violin Concerto…where it works really well is in the slow movement, Kopatchinskaja exposing the fragility of Schumann’s writing... — BBC Music Magazine, July 2016, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 26th Feb 2016
Catalogue No: AUDITE97717
Label: Audite
Series: Schumann Complete Symphonic Works
Length: 63 minutes

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

Schumann: Violin Concerto in D Minor, WoO 1

Work length33:40

$9.00

$11.60

Patricia Kopatchinskaja
WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Heinz Holliger

I. Im kräftigen, nicht zu schnellem Tempo

Track length16:04

$4.00

$5.15

II. Langsam

Track length7:01

$2.00

$2.60

III. Lebhaft, doch nicht schnell

Track length10:35

$3.00

$3.85

Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54

Work length30:15

$7.00

$9.00

Dénes Várjon
WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
Heinz Holliger

I. Allegro affettuoso

Track length13:54

$3.00

$3.85

II. Intermezzo. Andantino grazioso

Track length5:17

$1.00

$1.30

III. Allegro vivace

Track length11:04

$3.00

$3.85

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This fourth volume of the complete orchestral works by Robert Schumann presents both his most underestimated and his most famous concertos. Patricia Kopatchinskaja takes the experimental qualities of the Violin Concerto, a late work, as a guiding principle, rising above clichéd Romanticist tradition in a typically distinctive, energetic interpretation. This 'de-Romanticised' reading clearly distinguishes Schumann’s Violin Concerto from the glittering Romantic concertos of the time, contrasting brilliant, attention-seeking virtuosity with musical mastery at the service of an overall concept. In the Piano Concerto, Dénes Várjon also expresses a particular Romantic clarity, characterised by fresh sounds and fluid tempi. He trusts in the impact of the work standing on its own by opting for an approach that is not overly Romanticist. His stringent interpretation is informed by many years of performing Schumann, including his chamber works.

Denes Varjon has a track record with Schumann recordings: his CD of the Sonatas of Robert Schumann recorded with Carolin Widmann was released in 2008. His recording of Schumann pieces with the cellist Steven Isserlis was released in 2009 on the Hyperion label. His solo CD with pieces of Berg, Janácek and Liszt was released in January 2012 by ECM, with whom he has also recorded works by Heinz Holliger, who requested Varjon for this Audite project.

Reviews

July 2016

Kopatchinskaja is typically bold and provocative in Schumann’s Violin Concerto…where it works really well is in the slow movement, Kopatchinskaja exposing the fragility of Schumann’s writing with heart-rending sensitivity…Dénes Várjon emphasises [the Piano Concerto’s] playfulness and lightness of touch, especially in the slow movement and Finale.

CD Review 27th February 2016

Kopatchinskaja’s sound is uncompromising here; stark and straight, her strength matched by the ensemble, no-one’s trying make this into a prettier concerto than it seems, and to my ears, it gains from that approach … you come out of this recording with renewed respect for Schumann’s originality and for Holliger’s determination not to add too much sugar in his Schumann series for Audite

Schumann: Complete Symphonic Works Vol. IV

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