Schumann: Etudes Symphoniques; Toccata; Fantasie in C

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The Schumann playing here is surprising from a famous virtuoso like Earl Wild, since he avoids virtuosic display in most of this music. Wild's playing on the opening Toccata, recorded live in 1974, is genteel and urbane, handling Schumann's difficulties without a trace of exertion--until the climactic chords near the end, when the pianist goes wild, slamming them out in a rush. Overall, though, it's a pleasing contrast to more aggressive performances by such greats as Sviatoslav Richter and Simon Barere. In the remaining two big works, studio recordings from 1990, Wild again stresses the lyrical and more relaxed elements in Schumann's music. This leads to memorably songful interpretations of such music as the slower (mostly posthumously published) variations of the Études and the intensely introverted finale of the Fantasie. Some big moments (like the central march of the Fantasie) may seem underpowered, but that's obviously the artist's choice. Sound is fine in the live recording, a trifle boxy in the studio recordings. Not your basic Schumann performances, perhaps, but an intriguing alternative. --Leslie Gerber

Fanfare, May/June 2000
On this disc Earl Wild maintains the look of a dignified, confident master, and his playing underscores that appearance.

Album Description
If one were to list some of the supreme masterpieces of piano literature, Schumann's Fantasia in C Major, Opus 17 would be in that Pantheon. Every marvelous page contains the full measure of Schumann's passion. His Etudes Symphoniques, Opus 13 (here, complete with the five posthumous variations) is also a rich, glowing, intensely personal musical work. The highly difficult and devilishly virtuosic Toccata in C, Opus 7, on this disc was taken from a live performance. These three great piano works are performed by the Romantic Master of the piano, Grammy® award winner Earl Wild. Mastered by Ivory Classics using 24-bit HDCD technology.

Schumann: Etudes Symphoniques; Toccata; Fantasie in C

Tracks:

Toccata in C, Op.7
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Theme: Andante
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude I (Var I): Un Poco Piu Vivo
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude II (Var II): Andante
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude III: Vivace
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude IV (Var III): Allegro Marcato
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude V (Var IV): Scherzando
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Posthumous Var I: Andante, Tempo Del Tema
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude VI (Var V): Agitato
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Posthumous Var II: Meno Mosso
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Posthumous Var III: Allegro
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude VII (Var VI): Allegro Molto
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude VIII (Var VII): Sempre Marcatissimo
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Posthumous Var IV: Allegretto
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude IX: Presto Possibile
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Posthumous Var V: Moderato
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude X (Var VIII): Allegro Con Energia
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude XI (Var IX): Andante Espressivo
Etudes Symphoniques, Op.13 (Complete): Etude XII (Finale): Allegro Brillante
Fant in C, Op.17: I. Durchaus Phantastisch Und Leidenschaftlich Vorzuntragen - Im Lebhaften Tempo...
Fant in C, Op.17: II. Massig. Durchaus Energisch - Etwas Langsamer - Viel Bewegter
Fant in C, Op.17: III. Langsam Getragen. Durchweg Leise Zu Halten - Etwas Bewegter

Amazon.com

The Schumann playing here is surprising from a famous virtuoso like Earl Wild, since he avoids virtuosic display in most of this music. Wild's playing on the opening Toccata, recorded live in 1974, is genteel and urbane, handling Schumann's difficulties without a trace of exertion--until the climactic chords near the end, when the pianist goes wild, slamming them out in a rush. Overall, though, it's a pleasing contrast to more aggressive performances by such greats as Sviatoslav Richter and Simon Barere. In the remaining two big works, studio recordings from 1990, Wild again stresses the lyrical and more relaxed elements in Schumann's music. This leads to memorably songful interpretations of such music as the slower (mostly posthumously published) variations of the Études and the intensely introverted finale of the Fantasie. Some big moments (like the central march of the Fantasie) may seem underpowered, but that's obviously the artist's choice. Sound is fine in the live recording, a trifle boxy in the studio recordings. Not your basic Schumann performances, perhaps, but an intriguing alternative. --Leslie Gerber

Album Description

If one were to list some of the supreme masterpieces of piano literature, Schumann's Fantasia in C Major, Opus 17 would be in that Pantheon. Every marvelous page contains the full measure of Schumann's passion. His Etudes Symphoniques, Opus 13 (here, complete with the five posthumous variations) is also a rich, glowing, intensely personal musical work. The highly difficult and devilishly virtuosic Toccata in C, Opus 7, on this disc was taken from a live performance. These three great piano works are performed by the Romantic Master of the piano, Grammy® award winner Earl Wild. Mastered by Ivory Classics using 24-bit HDCD technology.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Original 1904 Version)

Mr. Blues/Confessin' the Blues [Import] [Original recording remastered]

Mendelssohn Bartholdy: Die Jugendsymphonien Nos. 1-6

New York Klezmer Orchestra

Mainly Morton

Rock Art and the X-Ray Style

Los Grandes de la Musica Cubana

Los Esenciales [Import]

The Ultimate Experience

Love and Destruction