Schumann - Gesänge der Frühe

[fnork]

I started working two days ago on this rarely performed Schumann piece. Sharing the first and third pieces so far, more to come very soon. The fact that it´s new comes across quite clearly in the third piece - it´s more pianistically awkward than might be apparent by just glancing the score.

Update - added the 4th and 5th pieces. As I said - work in progress, quite clearly. I´ll upload better recordings once I´ve had more time with this piece.
The 4th has a hauntingly beautiful melody based around the falling fifth so often used by Schumann and usually associated with his beloved Clara. The 5th closes the cycle by returning to the chorale-like writing of the first piece, wonderfully elaborated this time comparing to the sparse writing of the opening piece though.

[rachfan]

Hi fnork,

Very nice playing indeed!  I really enjoyed listening.  You have a fine recording setup there too with mics capturing sound in a neutral and natural way, adding no coloration.  The only thing I might suggest is adding just a light touch, no more, of reverb.

In the past I've read some critical remarks about the "Songs of the Dawn", of Schumann.  But it has always struck me as a very well-crafted work.  I just wish it were played more often, and commend you for sharing it here.

Looking forward to hearing the remaining songs once you record them.

David

[furtwaengler]

Wow, I can't believe I'm seeing this now! I have an all Schumann program Tuesday morning opening with this beautiful set. This music is very dear to me...in a way much more than any "dawn," but the dawning of eternity, hope from a troubled soul.

[fnork]

Thanks for the nice comments - it´s one of those Schumann pieces I wish more people would know about. As a very inward piece, however, it might not be the sort of Schumann most of us are familiar with. His late works include some of his real masterpieces, but few of them seem to be recognized as such...

[fnork]

as for the recording quality in itself, I simply recorded it in a practicing room at my academy - some other time I´ll make a recording in one of the concert halls instead.

[pianowolfi]

Beautiful! That's amazing! Two days?? No. 3 would take me at least two weeks to learn.

[fnork]

Well, I won´t keep it secret that I just found out a couple of days ago that my application for the Schumann competition in Zwickau later this year was accepted. The confirmation was late so I had already stopped hoping for it, but anyways, for the upcoming week I´m trying to figure out if I have time to learn all of the repertoire within the two months that remain until the competition. Gesänge seemed a good first target as its the least straight-forward piece to play, learn and memorize - by comparison, the concerto is throughout a very easy piece, and I´ve got half of the Humoreske already...

But yes, nr 3 is indeed tricky and that goes very much for the other movements as well. Nr 4 doesn´t look that bad texture-wise on the page - melody, bass and 32-notes inbetween -, but the 32nds have to be distributed differently between the hands throughout the piece making it impossible to establish logical patterns. Keeping a clear texture is a tricky issue in nr 2 and 5 in particular, and also in the end of nr 1. Towards the end, there is one spot where the theme is presented in canon. The final time this canon comes in the soprano and then in the bass, but the first time, both voices enter in the tenor using the same pitches - hard to make that clear!

[pianowolfi]

Oh wow, that is so wonderful, fnork!! Congratulations!  Having listened to your recording, I think that you will do a really great job at the competion and you certainly have the ability to learn very complex repertoire and play it convincingly within a very short amount of time!! I am very excited for you, and I am keeping my fingers crossed for you, for the competition!!  

(The concerto, especially third mvt.: easy in comparison??? OMG) 

[pianowolfi]

And I have just listened to your Nielsen Chaconne. It's you, right?
It's phenomenal, its' just phenomenal, I don't know what to say more!! You're sort of a Pogorelich kind of guy and talent and potential. Keep it up and take care!!

[fnork]

I haven´t decided yet if I´ll participate or not, but while considering it I´m learning the pieces I still haven´t played. There are a bunch of other things on the program as well - etudes by Chopin, Debussy and Schumann, plus Mendelssohn prelude and fugue in b minor op 35, and the polonaise-fantasy -, so we´ll see if there´s enough time to learn all of it...Anyway, as you can see, I just uploaded the 4th and 5th movements here as well.

Having worked on the concerto less than the Gesänge, I anyway got the feeling it is pianistically more straightforward. The last movement I´ve worked on the most so far and the general impression is that it´s mostly straightforward playing-wise, though it will take some time to memorize it and get the different figurations in the fingers.

[fnork]

Thanks, yes, its probably the recording of the chaconne up on youtube that you´ve found, it´s a wonderful work by an underplayed composer (sure, the symphonies get played, but many of the piano works are intruiging - the chaconne and the large-scale theme and variations in particular) - glad you enjoyed it!

[pianowolfi]

Thanks, yes, its probably the recording of the chaconne up on youtube that you´ve found, it´s a wonderful work by an underplayed composer (sure, the symphonies get played, but many of the piano works are intruiging - the chaconne and the large-scale theme and variations in particular) - glad you enjoyed it!

Yes I enjoy it to the fullest, I think you are doing a great job at interpreting this composer's work and making him more known!

[fnork]

Thanks, that´s nice to hear. Check out Leif Ove Andsnes recording with Nielsens piano music if you´re interested in hearing more of his works.