Schumann: Etudes Symphoniques Op. 13

[electrafingers]

Hi everyone,

Here's a new recording of me playing Schumann's Etudes Symphoniques. You are welcome to share your thoughts and comments.

Ishay

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I've never really thought too much of Schumann, so this recording was a pleasant surprise for me. In addition to the very solid technique and good sound, I found that the piece felt more like a coherent entity than I have often encountered. Quite often, I find Schumann rather rambling and not very organised, but this performance seemed different.

I still hate the last few bars of this piece (not your fault, it always makes me think of how Chopin would have finished the Bb min Scherzo if he was having a bad and verbose day). A thoroughly enjoyable performance overall.

[pianistimo]

you really know how to play schumann!  i love to hear schumann much like schubert. the 'speaking' of the music.  i enjoyed listening very very much.  you have a nice piano.  very responsive to what you play.  i don't know about the ending as i haven't listened to this piece in a very very long time.  used to go and listen to a lot of schumann.  you certainly do have elektrafingers!

[electrafingers]

Thank you guys for your comments.

ronde_des_sylphes, I can understand what you mean by Schumann being "rambling" often, but it's not always or necessarily a bad thing. It's always a different kind of a challange to "organize" a piece by Schumann in a performance than a piece by Beethoven or Brahms. The connections are of a different nature, I believe, but they're usually there. I really love this piece particularly. The finale I also like very much, although there is another version for it by Schumann, which has slight changes and is more interesting to me. Don't ask me why I don't play it, coz I don't know the answer 

[lmpianist]

Thank you for posting this.  It is my favorite Schumann work and possibly my favorite piano work overall.  I listened to one of your earlier recordings of it as well, and actually used it as a reference along with Cortot's while working through the piece last year (although I certainly didn't master it as well as you have).  Overall it is very nice.  I thought that the Thema was absolutely perfect.  Etude II (my favorite of the set) was very nice - consider taking the repeats to bring out the different voices since there are so many possibilities here.  On Etude III I like to bring out the theme in the LH much much more.  On Etude VI, I thought the theme could again be voiced more clearly, maybe pick either the LH or RH to really bring it out (most people choose the left), or take the repeats and do both (I love Cherkassky's live recording of this - absolutely gut-wrenching).  Etude VII was outstanding!  I thought there was a bit too much tension in VIII, but this is a matter of personal taste - I like a more lyrical reading, since VII and IX are fiery enough.  IX and X were amazing.  XI seemed waaaay too fast to me - again I like to think of it as a time to relax and reflect before the finale, and I try to create a huuuge contrast between X and XI, and between XI and the finale.  I thought the finale was perfect, exactly as it should be played.  Overall, great job! 

[dnephi]

I have heard much of these.  Should I listen to them a few more times, or even consider learning them>