Works for Solo Piano [Box set]

Schumann (Artist), Ashkenazy (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 11, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 7
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00006IU8T
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #92,069 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Arabeske In C, Op.18

2. Papillons, Op.2

3. Symphonic Studies, Op.13

4. Carnaval, Op.9

5. Humoreske, Op.20

6. Noveletten, Op.21

7. Waldszenen, Op.82

8. Kinderszenen, Op.15

9. Piano Sonata No.1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.11

10. 8 FantasiestÜCke, Op.12

11. BlumenstÜCk, Op.19

12. DavidsbÜNdlertÄNze, Op.6

13. Kreisleriana, Op.16

14. Noveletten, Op.21

15. Piano Sonata No.2 In G Minor, Op.22

16. Abegg Variations, Op.1

17. Fantasie In C, Op.17

18. Faschingsschwank Aus Wien, Op.26

19. Bunte BlÄTter, Op.99

20. NachtstÜCke, Op.23

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

For less than $60, this seven-CD set brings the buyer almost all of Schumann's important works for solo piano performed by one of the great pianists of the last 50 years. Ashkenazy is nearly as insightful an interpreter of Schumann as he is of Chopin and the quality of these performances, which were recorded between 1984 and 1995, is generally high. The gnarled F-sharp Minor Sonata is beautifully organized, as well as emotionally compelling; "Papillons" has style, color, and flexibility; "Waldszenen" displays poetry, strength, and simplicity; the G-Minor Sonata is clearly outlined and impeccably delivered; "Kinderszenen" is played with fluidity and nuance; and "Carnaval" is delivered with bigness of conception, virility, and authority that make it among the finest ever recorded. Even on those occasions when Ashkenazy fails to reach such heights--as he does, for example, in a "Davidsbundlertanze" that is a mite too solemn and deliberate for the music's helter-skelter whimsy--his performances still achieve a distinguished standard. Nevertheless, it is Ashkenazy's misfortune that he must compete against his younger self. The readings in this set of the Symphonic Etudes, the Fantasy in C Major, "Kreisleriana," and the "Humoresque" fall short compared to those Ashkenazy recorded in the 1960s and early 1970s. In those earlier performance--reissued on a Double Decca set--the notes roll off the pianist's fingers in a dazzling and melting manner, with a singing tone and a sense of rapture, that he was unable to match 20 years later. --Stephen Wigler

Product Description

Few pianists have explored and recorded such a wealth of keyboard literature as Vladimir Ashkenazy. During an association with Decca which stretches back almost 40 years now, Ashkenazy has completed cycles of some of the most important concertos (Mozart, Beethoven, Prokofiev, Bart¢k and Rachmaninov), as well as an extensive amount of solo literature. Two of the greatest figures in 19th-century piano music are Chopin and Schumann, and music by both composers has featured, and continues to feature, in Ashkenazy's recitals. He has recorded almost all of Chopin solo works and during the years 1984-95 undertook a major survey of Schumann's solo literature (some works including the Sinfonische Etden, Fantasie, Kreisleriana and Humoreske) Ashkenazy had recorded earlier in his career). These digital recordings are now presented as a box set for the first time and are an invaluable collection of the composer's most important keyboard works, performed by one of the greatest pianists of his ge

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful music, great playing, even better price, July 3, 2007

By 

dm "danmc15" (rochester, ny) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Works for Solo Piano (Audio CD)

I keep reading reviews that say things like: "Well others have played this piece better than Ashkenazy..." or "If you want a complete set of Schumann piano works then Ashkenazy is adequate and a good bargain..."

I may not have heard every version of these Schumann pieces played by every pianist in the 20th century, but I can say that Ashkenazy plays these pieces absolutely wonderfully- with both technical virtuosity and emotional depth. If you really want to cobble together a collection of the "absolute best" Schumann pieces, and spend a couple hundred dollars in the process, that's certainly your prerogative.

I just can't see how anyone can fault Ashkenazy's playing of these pieces as being lesser than others. To my ears, he plays them faultlessly. There are times during the recording where I want to stand up and applaud, others when I want to weep.

For about $5-$8 per disc (depending on who you purchase it from) you can have this wonderful music. Buy it now, and listen often!

43 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Ashkenazy's forte (pun on forte intended), November 20, 2004

By 

R. Lane (Tracy, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Works for Solo Piano (Audio CD)

On the whole, Ashkenazy just does not seem to be a gifted interpreter of Schumann. These readings, to my ear, are heavy handed, pedantic, burdensome, and lacking in the mysterious joy that pervades so much of the work of the Romantic master. Some performances are OK. The Sinfonische Etuden would probably the best of the lot. But in works like Carnaval, the Novelletten, Faschingschwank aus Wien, and the Kinderszenen Ashkenazy to my liking totally misses the target.

I much prefer the more introspective approach of Arrau, or the wild and intriguing Pollini. Even Barenboim comes closer to the heart of Schumann than Ashkenazy.

The recorded sound is often disappointing also. The sound on some pieces is so muddy I thought the microphone was behind a wall.

21 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This is well worth the price, December 2, 2005

By 

Ryan Morris "classical terrorist" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Works for Solo Piano (Audio CD)

On the whole, this set is very good. true, ash's doesnt quite match up to pollini's recent dg david or kreis, but few do. There are still many gems here, some of which i rank as the top of the list in terms of interpretation. Firstly, waldszenen is giving an account here which in a word, is simply miraculous. Listen to how well he shapes the theme in the second piece, while most are struggling just to pull off the ferociously difficult chord jumps, yet ash does it with civility. Not even richter's fifities account is as well played or shaped. The kinderszenen is also marvelous, though not the best ever, or the second best or third(or fourth).....
But what every piece does give you, what ash himself seems to offer now, is a high standard of playing, though little over the top. But dont take that the wrong way, this set is a perfect way for anyone, even those pianophiles, to imburse or reimburse themselves in Schumann's wonderful world.
1.Wald-ash,haskil, richter, kempff
2.Kinder-moise, cortot, horsz, kempff
3.Davids-Giese, Perahia, Pollini
4.Carnaval-Rach, Arrau
5.Sonata 1-Gilels, Ash, Sofronitzky
6. Symph Etudes- Richter, Richter, Richter, anda, moravec
7. Fant in C-Moise, Backhaus, Cohen, Richter, sofron
8. Humoreske-Richter-56 moscow, kempf, schiff