Schumann: Carnaval; Papillons; Kinderszenen; Arabeske

Robert Schumann (Composer), Nelson Freire (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Nelson Freire
• Composer: Robert Schumann
• Audio CD (October 14, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0000AKOK6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #127,338 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

FREIRE NELSON SCHUMANN: CARNAVAL / PAPILLONS / KINDERS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Find, February 2, 2006

By 

Southern Man (Raleigh, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schumann: Carnaval; Papillons; Kinderszenen; Arabeske (Audio CD)

For some reason, playing Schumann well seems to escape a lot of otherwise great pianists. Too often these pieces are played brusquely and hurriedly making for a jarring listening experience. So I felt I was taking a risk when I picked this up because I wanted a performance of the Kinderszenen and this CD was on sale. I was previously unfamiliar with Nelson Freire.

Well sometimes risk pays off handsomely. Mr. Freire turns out to be a master of Schumann interpretation. He sees the delicacy and beauty in all of these works and it makes for a very enjoyable listen. In his hands, Schumann easily comes off as an equal to Chopin for piano composition among his Romantic contemporaries. The recorded performance on the Steinway is reference quality.

Although these works differ thematically, what they have in common is that they are each made up of multiple short (typically 40 seconds) vignettes, so this really foreshadows Impressionism. I'm not quite as keen on the Papillons as on the Carnaval and the Kinderszenen, but that's just my personal taste. For thoroughly convincing performances of all of these lovely works, look no further.

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning Performance, July 25, 2004

By 

E. H. Walley - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Schumann: Carnaval; Papillons; Kinderszenen; Arabeske (Audio CD)

If you think you don't love the piano music of Schumann, it's because you haven't heard it played by Nelson Freire. Great Schumann interpreters are rare today - thank goodness we have these gems from Freire where the potential of the music is realized. Each piece glows with beauty. The sad thing is that Freire hasn't recorded more Schumann - or more of anything for that matter. Add this beautiful performance to your collection and it is sure to be a favorite.

18 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two genius: Schumann and Freire., December 12, 2003

By 

"e-rinaldi" (Itápolis, São Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Schumann: Carnaval; Papillons; Kinderszenen; Arabeske (Audio CD)

This Cd contains Carnaval, Pappillons, Kinderzenen and Arabeske, all Schumann works. Nelson Freire plays every single note with emotion and technical control like no other pianist --although the Kempff interpretation of the "Scenes of Childhood" is very delicate and emotive. If you want a beautiful record of this pieces, your search is over: buy immediately this wonderful disc.