Maria João Pires ~ Schumann - Piano Concerto · Piano Quintet / COE · Abbado - Dumay · Caussé · Capuçon · Wang

Robert Schumann (Artist), Claudio Abbado (Artist), Maria João Pires (Artist), Renaud Capuçon (Artist), Augustin Dumay (Artist), Jian Wang (Artist), Gérard Caussé (Artist), The Chamber Orchestra of Europe (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 9, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B00004SDO0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,391 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Schumann under Pires' hands..., June 1, 2001

By	cesar - See all my reviews

There are a lot of superb recordings of Schumann Piano Concerto that is not showy at all but that is full of introvert fantasy, which means that this is a very difficult concerto for a pianist to bring off. I am always having a feeling that when one plays Schumann, he/she has to play with solid technique while he/she has to be "off the ground" almost to reach insanity. Really difficult.

Anyway, her playing in the concerto is very solid and her planning is so clear-cut, but she could not really reach such insanity or fantasy. That is sad, because I know that she could have been reached there as she did in Schumann "Waldszenen" on Deutche Gramophone and Erato labels.

I like her "slowness" that is sometimes criticized by a few piano listners (who I think tend to judge pianists by their fast fingerworks), though. Such slowness gives her playing soothing beauty, a virtue that I am having a hard time to find in any other current pianists.

In the quintet, Pires is radiant, inspired, and full of musical intelligence. Her playing is clearly driving all other players, especially in the majestic last movement.

Even if you do not like her concerto playing on this CD, please do not push "stop" there.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pires plays seamlessly with an ideal tempo, April 20, 2002

By	Blygman (Paris, France) - See all my reviews

I compared almost 30 interpretations of the Schumann piano concerto and ended up with 3 : Abbado/Pires, Karajan/Zimerman and a surprising one : "Robert Schumann: Meisterwerke Zum Kennenlernen" with the czech pianist Marian Lapsansky. 1) Pires plays with so much delicacy and introspection, the flow of keytrokes is seamless : very refreshing and compelling esp. for the 1st & 2nd movement. 2) Zimerman displays great virtuosity without playing too fast, esp. in the 3rd movement which is arresting. 3) the czech interpretation lays in-between. I was surprised an unknown interpretation could be that good.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful and entrancing, March 11, 2006

By	norcal reader (Santa Cruz, CA) - See all my reviews

I originally heard this piano concerto through Launchcast radio, and I fell in love with the piece. (I'm not well aversed in classical music, so please pardon my poor music terminology). I've always loved the piano, and I especially enjoy the classical pieces that are accompanied by a small orchestra or ensemble. The music flows beautifully and develops into exciting, full-bodied crescendos. The pianist plays an entrancing melody that captures the imagination. She also plays with a "soft touch" rather than striking the keys with force. I personally like this style because it's very easy to listen to, especially when I'm working, studying, or simply relaxing. All in all, I think the pianist plays Schumann beautifully.