Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9

Alfred Cortot was renowned above all as a pianist whose interpretations, especially of the works of Schumann, Debussy and Chopin, were often on a spiritual level. This 1953 performance of Chopin’s Piano Sonata No. 2 is his fifth and final commercial recording of the work (the 1928 recording is available on Naxos 8.111065; the 1927 recording is unissued). Cortot wanted to record the work again partly because he felt his interpretation would be ‘an example for the young pianists, who are so little imbued with the Romantic spirit’.

His 1953 and third recording of Schumann’s Kinderszenen is notable for the familiar singing tone and poetic warmth he brings to Kind im Einschlummern (Child falling asleep) and Der Dichter spricht (The poet speaks). Cortot’s interpretation of the youthful romanticism of Carnaval is full of colour and character,far preferable to bland and uninspired subsequent accounts from lesser pianists

Written during the years of their enforced separation and then their short lived marriage, this programme of music illustrates the musical affinity between both Clara and Robert Schumann. As a regular performer on the Gramola label, Natasa Veljkovic plays, as always, with a profound musical sensitivity and understanding of the music of this period.

This recital by Arthur Rubinstein (1887-1982) given in Nijmegen close to the Dutch border with Germany in 1963 can be considered an event of historical importance. Because of the pianist's refusal to play in Germany following the War, Rubinstein decided to give a concert as close to the border as feasible, which not surprisingly attracted a great deal of press attention at the time and because it was attended by many German music lovers who travelled from all over the Germany to see him.

The recording made by the WDR in Cologne has never been available before either as a pirate or commercially. This is it's first ever release.

The programme is a distillation from the full recital lasting over 90 minutes and has been overseen by the Rubinstein family.

The titles are familiar to any Rubinstein collector but are given added vibrancy and presence by the excitement of the event caught live in excellent sound. This is far removed from the sometimes more careful Rubinstein of the recording studio.