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Alexander Lonquich: Robert Schumann / Heinz Hollinger
ByLonquich's Schumann is well-measured, with the Romantic ethos typified by the composer during the early part of his composing career. More expansive than his Kinderszenen, Kreisleriana stands as the piano monument to Schumann. Lonquich captures the composer's spirit perfectly, beautifully engineered and sonically captured. The song cycle is played dynamically, reflecting Schumann's perceived limitations of the keyboard at the time. At once blissful and anxious Kreisleriana (dedicated by the composer to Chopin) encompasses all that is good in Romantic consonance.
Schumann's angst toward the keyboard's limitations remained spiritually vibrant, finding its way into Heniz Holliger's 1999 Partita (dedicated to pianist Andras Schiff). Hollinger immediately dispenses with Schumann's Romantic consonance in favor of a more modern approach, owing more to Cecil Taylor than Bill Evans. The Partita is abrupt, and often near angry in its thundering pronouncements. Holliger claims a Schumann influence, but the composer refracts that influence through a much different prism. Lonquich's performance is both compelling and intense, as is the sonic capture: piano music not for the faint of heart.
Track Listing
Robert Schumann: Kreisleriana; Heinz Hollinger: Partita.
Personnel
Alexander Lonquich: piano.
Album information
Title: Robert Schumann / Heinz Hollinger | Year Released: 2011 | Record Label: ECM Records
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Robert Schumann / Heinz Hollinger