Schumann: Gesänge der Frühe, op. 133, #1

[attachment=0]gesange-der-fruhe-nr-1.mp3[/attachment]

It's been a long time since I've posted anything...

 

It sure is, I just barely remembered your name. What made you come back ? Are you here to stay ?
Shamefully, I had never heard the Gesänge der Frühe. This is a beautiful little piece, consoling and wrenching at the same time with all its second intervals. It is well played except for being a bit muddily pedalled. The piano sound is not the best but it's acceptable, and somehow suits the music.

 

BTW - If you intend for your recordings to be added to the site, you must first of all comply with the rules for naming and tagging of files. See the instructions in this post: viewtopic.php?f=12&t=5115

 

I am not familiar with this piece either but I like it very much. I agree with Chris, it is well played. Thanks for sharing this.

As far as the sound is concerned, I find it a bit "close" to the piano. It might be worth trying to move the microphone a bit further away from the instrument. The sound might also benefit from a touch of addtional reverb.

 

Have now listened to the complete set on YT (played by Piotr Andrzewski). I never realized late Schumann was so good, even though I have played some works from this period, mainly chamber music. Not sure if Schumann was already going off his rocker by then, but this set is wonderful, shot through with a wonderful light and wisdom. Or so it feels to me. I really need to get my hands on it now. Thanks for posting this.

 

Thanks. A couple of replies:

* Yes, the piano is mic'd more closely than usual (for me). Too much stuff in the living room in Christmas Season. But I may re-record it. The piano is also a bit out of tune. Most people wouldn't notice it, but musicians would.

* It is a very strange piece, particularly with the parallel 2nds throughout. Ever since I first heard it, I've wondered whether Shumann was thinking way ahead of his time, or whether the insanity was sneaking in. Don't think it's possible to tell.

* Whether or not I re-record this, I'll at least rename it to follow your conventions.

* Yes, it has been a while. I "dropped out" because of a serious shoulder injury 7 years ago (surgery + 6 months of PT, not fun), and never restarted. I don't like the stress of being artist, engineer, and producer all at the same time, though. And I want to replace some of my recording gear...

Thanks...

 

Very nice offering; I'm sure that I've never heard this piece before.

BTW: I heard a 'click' of some type in the first second of the recording. I checked it in Audacity and it's not an illusion. You have enough padding at the beginning that you could get rid of it by chopping off the first .5-1.0 seconds.

The tuning problem is not that apparent because the tones are so clustered. I wouldn't worry about it. If there were open twelfth's it might be, but it seems Schumann was not in an "open-twelfth" type of mood that day...

 

Hi Mike,

I used to think that the "Songs of the Dawn" were Schumann's last work for piano, but it turns out that he composed one later in 1854, the "Variations on Original Theme". I liked your performance of No. 1 of the songs, especially the unexpected dissonances in the harmonies. It's very effective. In the past, many believed that the constructs of this music were an indication of a deranged mind, as Schumann took his own life the following year. Actually, I believe this is one of the most beautiful, lucid and innovative pieces he ever composed.

The Songs are a set of five. Are you considering recording the complete set?

Thanks for posting this piece. I enjoyed hearing it!

David

 

Hello Mike,

The presentation of the mood and the statement of the melody with the
consistency of the chords made for a good listening experience.

The presentation, with it's checked emotionalism and yet very expressive
impact, was a rewarding experience.

Thank you,
Kaila