Freddy Kempf plays Schumann [Import]

Robert Schumann (Composer), Freddy Kempf (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Freddy Kempf
• Composer: Robert Schumann
• Audio CD (May 1, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Bis
• ASIN: B00000J2RY
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #644,278 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Preambule in B flat major, Quasi maestoso

2. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pierrot in E flat major, Moderato

3. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Arlequin, in B flat major, Vivo

4. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Valse noble in B flat major, Un poco maestoso

5. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Eusebius in E flat major, Adagio

6. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Florestan in G minor, Passionato

7. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Coquette in B flat major, Vivo

8. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Replique in G minor, L'intesso tempo / Sphinxes

9. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Papillons in B flat major, Prestissimo

10. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Lettres dansantes in E flat major, Presto

11. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Chiarina in C minor, Passionato

12. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Chopin in A flat major, Agitato

13. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Estrella in F minor, Con affetto

14. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Reconnaissance in A flat major, Animato

15. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pantalon et Colombine in F minor, Presto

16. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Valse allemande in A flat major, Molto vivace

17. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Paganini in F minor, Intermezzo, Presto

18. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Aveu in F minor, Passionato

19. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Promenade in D flat major, Con moto

20. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pause, in A flat major, Vivo, precipitandosi

See all 29 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful debut, February 17, 2000

By 

G M KIRK (Durban, South Africa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freddy Kempf plays Schumann (Audio CD)

This is a young pianist not only with an obviously superb technique, but emotional depth that does justice to Schumann's music. He shines particularly in the Humoresque, with its fluctuating moods. But he is no less stunning in the rest of the works. The sound is first rate. I am won over and eagerly await further issues from Freddy Kempf.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Superb Musicality and Sound, December 16, 2000

By 

grandpiano_57 "James" (Burlington, CT USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Freddy Kempf plays Schumann (Audio CD)

Freddy Kempf does not disappoint in this wonderful debut Album. Carnaval, OP. 9 shimmers with rich dynamics, singing tone and a mature style. This is a CD that you will richly enjoy over and over. The sound given the Yamaha grand on this recording does not disappoint. There is a remarkable presence and clarity that allows the colors of the music to shine.

Kempf varies his touch delightfully. Listen to the infectious bounce of Reconnaissance, the bubbling Toccata, the surging lines of the Arabesque with the lilting accompaniment in Minore I then be taken away by the singing melody of Minore II.

I would highly recommend this disk and I look forward to more releases by the budding artist of integrity, taste and feeling.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A sixth star, please, March 9, 2005

By 

Todd R. Peckarsky "tpeck55" (Reston, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freddy Kempf plays Schumann (Audio CD)

Sadly, Amazon would not grant my request for an additional star. I have just "lost" an hour and twelve minutes to this disc. Lost, because my sense of time and all extraneous thoughts were non-existent as I listened to this extraordinary album in its entirety. Having innumerable recordings of these early, great piano works of Schumann, I do not lightly bestow accolades upon a new version, treasuring the traditional standbys from the likes of Horowitz, Richter, Argerich and (Wilhelm) Kempff. Nevertheless, I am wowed by this CD in ways that I can barely describe, for words fail to do justice to these performances. Freddy Kempf's technique--listen to the Toccata; his originality in bringing forth Schumann's unique humor and capriciousness--listen to Carnaval; his freshness, lightness of touch and songful expression--listen to Arabesque; and his interpretive insight--listen to Humoresque--are most remarkable. I know of few recordings of Carnaval I would listen to after hearing Kempf's: Daniel Barenboim on DGG, Nelson Freire on Decca, Geza Anda on Testament. Barenboim's is frenzied and whimsical; Kempf's is gentle and whimsical: different approaches--both valid--to this Schumann masterwork. The Toccata (with which Schumann rightly boasted that he had created a most formidable challenge to the performer) is thrown off with dazzling technique but also expressive tenderness in places. His version is the exact same length (6:21) as Horowitz's famous, though highly-edited (and thus rather choppy) studio recording of the piece. It is 14 seconds faster than Richter's 1959 studio version on DGG, yet sounds more musical and less frenzied and percussive than the Russian master's version. His Arabesque is simply stunning. Having heard a gazillion versions of this lovely piece--many of which are very wonderful--I was not prepared to be stunned by a new version: Kempf's rendering of the "minore" sections is simply heartbreakingly beautiful, and I can't wait to hear the piece again (by him) for the gazillion-and-oneth time. Nevertheless, it is perhaps the Humoresque that has most surprised me. I find this piece to be both one of Schumann's greatest and one of his most difficult to bring off, both technically and interpretively. Horowitz' technique on the live 1979 RCA recording (actually a splice of several live performances) is extraordinary. And though I grew up on Richter's 1956 mono version--on an increasingly scratchy LP--Freddy Kempf's interpretation of this work is so compelling, I don't know what more to say. Oh, just one more thing. While this disc sounds like the work of a seasoned pianist of enormous stature, Mr. Kempf was but 21-years old when he made these recordings.