Schliessmann"s Schumann Piano Works

Posted by: Oldnslow on 26 February 2008

Every now and then a pianist comes along who seems to have just the right tools for a certain composer. Schumann's major piano works have always seemed to me to be the high point of romantic piano compositions--both for their fantastic melodic and rhythmic content, and for their unique form--a continuous alternating of fast/slow sections in one extended episode. They are notoriously difficult to bring off successfully, both on record and in concert.

A rather obscure pianist, Burkard Schleissmann, seems to have an unusual affinity for Schumann. His disc on Bayer of the Symphonic Etudes and Kreisleriana may be the single best Schumann record I have ever heard. Powerful but also subtle playing, with complete technical command and a grasp of the overall structure and tempo. The Fantasy ( with the Liszt Sonata) on another Bayer CD is also excellent. I recommend all three of his Bayer recordings (he also has a disc of major Chopin works), and the recording quality is superb. Available through ArkivMusic in the U.S., and probably readily available in Europe.

Posted on: 26 February 2008 by Florestan

Hi Oldnslow,

Thanks for these recommendations. I am continually looking for good recordings of Robert Schumann and as you point out this isn't always the easiest task around. I couldn't agree with you more in that Schumann's music is a very important testament to the Romantic period and I often wonder why more people are not interested in his works (and the romantic period in general).

So now I have to get busy and order these CD's. In addition to the ones you recommended I also notice that Arkiv has his latest 2008 release of Bach's Goldberg Variations. I am familiar with Burkard Schliessmann from a very long time ago (he was probably just a teenager then). I have a 1990 Bayer recording of Scriabin Klavierwerke and it has always been one of my favorites. It doesn't appear though that it is still in the catalog now though?

Thanks again for these recommendations,
Doug

Posted on: 26 February 2008 by Oldnslow

I noticed the new Goldbergs too, though I was less interested in it, I suppose because there are so many great Goldbergs around, and comparatively little really great Schumann. FYI, Amazon sells the Goldbergs for half the ArkivMusic price. It may be a 2CD set, but I'd be surprised it would sell for double the price, and ArkivMusic may be wrong on that.