MURRAY PERAHIA PLAYS SCHUMANN (6 CDS)

Often described as “a musician’s musician”, Murray Perahia “has a magic touch and his electric spontaneity is naturally caught in the studio,” wrote the Penguin Guide. “In the works of Schumann … this quality of concentration is enormously valuable, and the results could hardly be more powerfully convincing.” This new 6-CD reissue collects all of Perahia’s solo Schumann along with his 1997 recording of the works for piano and orchestra – with Claudio Abbado conducting the Berlin Philharmonic – performed with “refreshing eagerness … unflagging strength of direction … inexhaustible rhythmic buoyancy” (Gramophone). There is also a very special bonus: the first CD release of a recital of Schumann lieder – including the op. 39 Liederkreis – in which Murray Perahia accompanies Sir Peter Pears. It proved to be the great English tenor’s last recording, yet, observed The New York Times, “his technical flexibility, warmth of spirit, superb diction and impeccable phrasing continue to excite admiration, even at age 70”.

Schumann:
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
Introduction & Allegro appassionato in G major, Op. 92
Introduction and Allegro Op. 134
Piano Sonata No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 11
Kreisleriana, Op. 16
Piano Sonata No. 2 in G minor, Op. 22
Fantasie in C major, Op. 17
Faschingsschwank aus Wien, Op. 26
Davidsbündlertänze, Op. 6
Fantasiestücke, Op. 12
Études symphoniques, Op. 13
Papillons, Op. 2
Lieder (5), Op. 40
Sir Peter Pears (tenor)
Gedichte (6) und Requiem, Op. 90
Liederkreis, Op. 39

Murray Perahia (piano)