BaL 17.04.21 - Schumann: Piano Quintet in E flat

[Ein Heldenleben]

Menahem Pressler with the Emerson Quartet for me. Surprised to see it's download only now.

Menahem Pressler does a wonderful job in this recording - really beautiful playing which has the added benefit of contradicting most of the assertions I have made about the piano writing in this work.

[Joseph K]

Menahem Pressler does a wonderful job in this recording - really beautiful playing which has the added benefit of contradicting most of the assertions I have made about the piano writing in this work.

[Pulcinella]

A piece I like, but having read the thread I fear that my contribution would be Considerably Poorer than most there - a conclusion that I am reaching more and more frequently these days. I'll just stick with the version of the Quintet that first impressed me knowing that I'll never be able to enjoy it to any generally acceptable extent.
For reasons not dissimilar I regret feeling unable to respond to the Jane Manning thread other than to express my sadness at her passing.

I hope that you don't quite mean this the way it's come out, Padraig.
I'm sure that others hereabouts would join me in feeling sad if comments made on threads like this diminished your own enjoyment of a version you have grown up with and like.

[BBMmk2]

Exactly.

My sentiments exactly. I don’t know this work, so I’ll be reading with a strong interest.

[Darloboy]

The Richard Burnett, Fitzwilliam String Quartet performance on Amon Ra will do for me. Yet another Steves's Sounds pot luck bargain discovery. This was probably the first HIPP recording (contrary to the bogus Chanfos claim re their Michelangelo Piano Quartet +1 turn of century recording).

That was Stephen Dodgson's period instrument choice way back in June 92, with Thomas Rajna and the Alberni Qt first choice.

[Darloboy]

And Pressler/Emerson Qt was Bill Mival's 1st choice in Dec 2000 with Beaux Arts as mid-price choice and Serkin/Busch Qt as historic choice.

Last time out, in April 08, David Fanning made Andsnes/Artemis Qt first choice with Curzin/Budapest Qt budget price version; Serkin/Busch on Biddulph as historic choice; and La Gaia Scienza as period choice.

Several of these have already been mentioned as contributor's favourites.

[verismissimo]

These days they just ignore all except half a dozen of them.

Something for the 'I wish ...' thread?

[Darloboy]

Doesn’t look like period instruments are going to feature today

[cloughie]

Doesn’t look like period instruments are going to feature today

Just a cylinder! (actually a 78 from ‘28)

The chosen one sounds bright and cheerful! Pianist son of a famous pianist!

[Bryn]

Doesn’t look like period instruments are going to feature today

No. I will listen to the Hagens tomorrow but the exclusion of period-instrument recordings from considerations rules out this BaL for me. Nowt wrong with considering and rejecting on musical grounds but to simply ignore them indicates a lack of professionalism, I feel. Happy to stick with Burnett and the Fitzwilliams.

[gurnemanz]

I acquired the The Hagens with Paul Gulda via the DG 200th Schumann Anniversary box which I snapped up without hesitating in 2010 - £49.99 for 35 discs. Nla but still there as a good-value download at around that price from Presto - MP3 £39.65 FLAC £49.55.

The first the movement tempo is certainly a bit surprising. Schumann doyenne, Joan Chisell wrote the recording off in Gramophone mainly, but not only, because of the first movement ("recklessly snatched minim = 144", marked 108.... "They reach the end with all too little affection or finesse en route".) Beaux Arts has tended to be my recording of choice but following BaL I will definitely go back and may revise my view.

[Bryn]

I acquired the The Hagens with Paul Gulda via the DG 200th Schumann Anniversary box which I snapped up without hesitating in 2010 - £49.99 for 35 discs. Nla but still there as a good-value download at around that price from Presto - MP3 £39.65 FLAC £49.55.

The first the movement tempo is certainly a bit surprising. Schumann doyenne, Joan Chisell wrote the recording off in Gramophone mainly, but not only, because of the first movement ("recklessly snatched minim = 144", marked 108.... "They reach the end with all too little affection or finesse en route".) Beaux Arts has tended to be my recording of choice but following BaL I will definitely go back and may revise my view.

Do you mean "Schumann: The Masterworks". It was Sony who put out an "Anniversary" Schumann box that year. Whatever, I had forgotten the chosen one was in the DG box. No need to listen tomorrow, in that case.

[gurnemanz]

Do you mean "Schumann: The Masterworks". It was Sony who put out an "Anniversary" Schumann box that year. Whatever, I had forgotten the chosen one was in the DG box. No need to listen tomorrow, in that case.

Yes. As linked to. Called Masterworks but was an anniversary edition. Has a lot of good recordings.

[Bryn]

Yes. As linked to. Called Masterworks but was an anniversary edition. Has a lot of good recordings.

Indeed it does. I quite forget what I paid for it but, like you, I snatched it up at the time of its release on CDs.

[cloughie]

Do you mean "Schumann: The Masterworks". It was Sony who put out an "Anniversary" Schumann box that year. Whatever, I had forgotten the chosen one was in the DG box. No need to listen tomorrow, in that case.

Anyone just wanting the Quintet and no couplings Presto £3.97 download looks as good as it gets!