- Audio CD (31 Oct 2005)
- SPARS Code: DDD
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: CD
- Label: Hyperion
- ASIN: B000BOIWSW
- Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 37,293 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
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Product Description
Review
'Not since Sviatoslav Richter's classic 1962 live account of Papillons have these fluttering miniatures been so stunningly brought to life as by that genius of the piano, Marc-André Hamelin … Add an entrancing Op.12 Fantasiestücke to surpass even Argerich's, a stunning production from Andrew Keener and exemplary notes from Misha Donat, and you have a Schumann disc made in heaven' --Classic FM Magazine
'All three of these sets of pieces by Schumann - Papillons, Fantasiestücke and Carnaval - explore the world of the composer's imagination. And it is that sense of fantasy that comes across so beautifully in Marc-André Hamelin's performances' --Evening Standard
'Hamelin's combination of fleet-fingered delicacy and compelling drive suit Schumann's aesthetic ideally; but best of all is his gleeful sense of story-telling … The excellent sound-quality has all the warmth and detail that Hyperion habitually bring to Hamelin's CDs' --BBC Music Magazine
'All three of these sets of pieces by Schumann - Papillons, Fantasiestücke and Carnaval - explore the world of the composer's imagination. And it is that sense of fantasy that comes across so beautifully in Marc-André Hamelin's performances' --Evening Standard
'Hamelin's combination of fleet-fingered delicacy and compelling drive suit Schumann's aesthetic ideally; but best of all is his gleeful sense of story-telling … The excellent sound-quality has all the warmth and detail that Hyperion habitually bring to Hamelin's CDs' --BBC Music Magazine
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Marc-André Hamelin has taken some critical brickbats when he has essayed standard repertoire, and he certainly got them for his first Schumann CD, the one containing the Fantasie. I was not among those who carped about those performances. And I do not sense any deficiency in this more recent disc that contains Papillons, Fantasiestücke and, best of, Carnaval. I think one reason some critics have taken Hamelin to task is that he has such a reputation as a virtuoso that they think he must not have any of the poet in him. (One used to hear the same sort of thing about Horowitz.) But anyone who has listened to his recordings of rather more off-beat composers -- Alkan, Roslavets, Medtner, Scriabin, Catoire -- will have to admit, I think, that there is plenty of poetry in his playing. However, he does not deal in sentimentality and perhaps that is what some listeners miss.
It seems to me that these readings of three of Schumann's most popular works are a breath of fresh air. Papillons and the Fantasiestücke, for instance, tend to move right along -- although the latter's 'In der Nacht' certainly dwells in a perfumed and romantic atmosphere. This briskness is all to the good, I believe.
When it comes to Carnaval Hamelin has come up with a new-sounding approach -- at least in my experience -- in that he does not romanticize the little character pieces, but rather plays them almost classically. This is not to say that 'Chopin' does not partake of that composer's tonal beauty or that 'Eusebius' is not pensive, musing. But on the whole Hamelin plays this music with bracing élan and I loved it. These are pieces I've played myself for nigh on fifty years and yet I heard things I'd never noticed, or heard things I'd never thought of before, and that is something I look for in a performances of these or any familiar works. Bravo, Mr Hamelin. You clearly are not just a virtuoso, you're a thinking and feeling musician.
A definite recommendation.
Scott Morrison
It seems to me that these readings of three of Schumann's most popular works are a breath of fresh air. Papillons and the Fantasiestücke, for instance, tend to move right along -- although the latter's 'In der Nacht' certainly dwells in a perfumed and romantic atmosphere. This briskness is all to the good, I believe.
When it comes to Carnaval Hamelin has come up with a new-sounding approach -- at least in my experience -- in that he does not romanticize the little character pieces, but rather plays them almost classically. This is not to say that 'Chopin' does not partake of that composer's tonal beauty or that 'Eusebius' is not pensive, musing. But on the whole Hamelin plays this music with bracing élan and I loved it. These are pieces I've played myself for nigh on fifty years and yet I heard things I'd never noticed, or heard things I'd never thought of before, and that is something I look for in a performances of these or any familiar works. Bravo, Mr Hamelin. You clearly are not just a virtuoso, you're a thinking and feeling musician.
A definite recommendation.
Scott Morrison
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Hamelin's account of Carnaval is second to none in terms of technical prowess, tonal delicacy and artistic refinement. I can't think of any recordings better than this. Beautifully and Realistically recorded.
Format:Audio CD
This has got to be one of the most definitive recordings of Schumann's works. My favourite work in here would have to be Papillons in which Marc-Andre Hamelin provides an unparallelled sense of depth and beauty to what would otherwise seem like a light-hearted piece of music.
The Das Abends of Fantasiestücke is probably the most haunting and moving version of this piece you'll ever hear. He seems to have an exquisite sense of rubato in this piece that just makes it magical. My favourite piece of Fantasiestücke would have to be the final Ende vom Lied though which seems like a perfect swan song for this set and somehow captures the essence of Schumann himself like no other piece of solo piano music he composed.
With Carnaval too, you get that sense of fantasy and excitement that Schumann instills in a lot his music. Personally not one of my favourite Schumann compositions, though I think it's hard for anyone to dismiss the sense of occasion and grandeur that is brought out with the finale.
I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who has even a passing interest in the music of Robert Schumann and/or the awe inspiring talent of Marc-Andre Hamelin.
The Das Abends of Fantasiestücke is probably the most haunting and moving version of this piece you'll ever hear. He seems to have an exquisite sense of rubato in this piece that just makes it magical. My favourite piece of Fantasiestücke would have to be the final Ende vom Lied though which seems like a perfect swan song for this set and somehow captures the essence of Schumann himself like no other piece of solo piano music he composed.
With Carnaval too, you get that sense of fantasy and excitement that Schumann instills in a lot his music. Personally not one of my favourite Schumann compositions, though I think it's hard for anyone to dismiss the sense of occasion and grandeur that is brought out with the finale.
I cannot recommend this enough to anyone who has even a passing interest in the music of Robert Schumann and/or the awe inspiring talent of Marc-Andre Hamelin.
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