Schumann Fantasy in Cmajor op.17

[kempff]

I'm thinking about starting this piece, but first I wait for 2 months, because I have a competition coming up and I want to focus only on the pieces I'm gonna play.

Anyways, how difficult is the fantasy?  Has anyone here played it/ If yes, can you give me some advice about it? I have 3 recordings of this piece: Brendel, Horowitz and Kempff. Any other good ones?

[m]

There are many good recordings of this piece. I like S. Richter, Anni Fisher, and W. Giseking (despite of many technical imperfections).

[Fhugo]

well this isnt a normal piece at all, it is hard indeed. Heh its in my 5 years plan, so.. ;p
Best recording Ive ever heard of it, and that always breaks me to tears literally is Nelson Freire's one. Altho that recording might be extremely hard to find.

life aint easy eh ;/

[bernhard]

well this isnt a normal piece at all, it is hard indeed. Heh its in my 5 years plan, so.. ;p
Best recording Ive ever heard of it, and that always breaks me to tears literally is Nelson Freire's one. Altho that recording might be extremely hard to find.

life aint easy eh ;/

I will second that. Freire is a superlative pianist and his Schumann is peerless. The Cd is easy to find: Phillips "Great pianists of the 20th century" has the Fantasy.

For other works of Schumann, try these:


https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=1720

https://www.musicweb.uk.net/classrev/2003/Nov03/Schumann_Freire.htm

Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[m]

For other works of Schumann, try these:


https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=1720


Best wishes,
Bernhard.

Bernhard,

Do you have this CD? Could you check for me if it is a misprint and Bach/Siloti is in B minor, or I just don't know a G minor prelude?

[bernhard]

Do you have this CD? Could you check for me if it is a misprint and Bach/Siloti is in B minor, or I just don't know a G minor prelude?

No, it is not a misprint.

The original organ prelude (BWV 535) is in G-minor.

Carl Fischer publishes it (plus a lot of other piano arrangements by Siloti). Have a look here:

https://www.siloti.com/cgi-bin/music.php

https://www.carlfischer.com/nrmay2003.html


Best wishes,
Bernhard.

[m]

Do you have this CD? Could you check for me if it is a misprint and Bach/Siloti is in B minor, or I just don't know a G minor prelude?

No, it is not a misprint.
The original organ prelude (BWV 535) is in G-minor.
Carl Fischer publishes it (plus a lot of other piano arrangements by Siloti). Have a look here:
https://www.siloti.com/cgi-bin/music.php
https://www.carlfischer.com/nrmay2003.html
Best wishes,
Bernhard.

Thanks Bernhard! It is always great to learn something new. I have already ordered the music.

[bernhard]

Thanks Bernhard! It is always great to learn something new. I have already ordered the music.

You are welcome

[kissinfan]

Well this is a deeply emotional and revealing Schumanns work written when Clara got lost for many time in Schumanns life
in my opinion this work is full of emotion, beggining since i saw the manuscript with the beautiful poem of Schlegel:

trough all the sounds sounding
in the colorful earth dream
A quiet sound comes forth
for him who eavesdrops

and considered as a homage for Liszt (btw dedicated to him), for moments sounds with this lisztian influence and others like mendelssohnian pianism mixed always with the complex introspective polyphony of Schumann
don´t you think? 

btw Kissin rec of it is astonishingggggg!!!!!

[johnnypiano]

The Schumann is a wonderful piece and very difficult, both technically and musically, and should be an ambition with anyone with huge musicality and a big technique. 

The first movement has so many different textures and diverse moods; the second has hundreds of taut, quick, dotted notes and a fiendish coda.

The last movement must be sustained and well planned.  I heard Rubinstein do this once and, towards the end, the sustaining pedal ‘broke’ and he was left doing the last page and a half without it.

You must try it.  Good luck.  John. 
Let me know if you want detail of how to practise any particular passage.