Benjamin Grosvenor - Schumann & Brahms
The acclaimed British pianist, Benjamin Grosvenor, still only 30 and yet a well-established favourite of critics and audiences around the globe, takes Robert Schumann’s haunting Kreisleriana as his starting point in his new album, Schumann & Brahms. This eight-movement work portrays the mercurial personality of the fictional Johannes Kreisler, created by E. T. A. Hoffmann: Kreisler’s highs and lows, and his dreamy nature, clearly mirror Schumann’s own tragic manic-depressive tendencies. Grosvenor responds to the composer’s autobiographical honesty with playing of sublime tenderness, dazzling variety, and imaginative empathy.
Track Listing:
1 R. Schumann: Kreisleriana, Op.16 / i. Äußerst bewegt
2 ii. Sehr innig und nicht zu rasch
3 iii. Sehr aufgeregt
4 iv. Sehr langsam
5 v. Sehr lebhaft
6 vi. Sehr langsam
7 vii. Sehr rasch
8 viii. Schnell und spielend
9 R. Schumann: 3 Romanzen, Op. 28, No. 2 in F-Sharp Major (Einfach)
10 R. Schumann: Blumenstück, Op.19
11 R. Schumann: Piano Sonata No. 3 in F Minor, Op. 14: III. Quasi variazioni
12 R. Schumann: Abendlied, Op. 85 No. 12
13 C. Schumann: Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 20
14 Brahms: Intermezzi, Op. 117 / 1. In E-Flat Major
15 2. In B-Flat Major
16 3. In C-Sharp Minor