Vinyl Record Robert Schumann, Martha Argerich - Kinderszenen · Kreisleriana [LP]

Robert Schumann (1810–1856) was a German composer, pianist, and music critic of the Romantic era. He composed music in all the major genres of the time, writing for solo piano, voice with piano, chamber ensembles, orchestra, choir, and opera. Schumann was born in Zwickau, Saxony, into a wealthy family with no musical tradition. Initially unsure about his career path, he considered becoming a lawyer or a pianist-composer. However, due to problems with his right hand, he was forced to focus on composition. His early works, such as "Carnaval", "Davidsbündlertänze", "Fantasiestücke", and "Kreisleriana", became classics of the piano repertoire. Schumann was also the founder of the music journal "Neue Zeitschrift für Musik", where he introduced the concept of two opposite aspects of his personality, "Florestan" and "Eusebius". After marrying Clara Wieck, he composed numerous song cycles and orchestral works. Despite health problems and mental illness, he left a significant legacy, influencing composers like Brahms, Mahler, Strauss, and Tchaikovsky.

Martha Argerich is an Argentine-Swiss classical pianist, one of the greatest performers of her time. She was born in Buenos Aires and showed remarkable musical ability from a young age, starting to study piano at the age of three. Argerich gained international fame after winning numerous competitions, including the International Chopin Piano Competition in 1965. She actively performed with leading orchestras around the world, recorded albums, and supported young musicians. Throughout her career, Argerich focused on performing concertos and chamber music, collaborating with other musicians, but rarely performed solo. She was also the president of the International Piano Academy in Lake Como and an organizer of music festivals. In addition to her musical achievements, Argerich is known for her humility, advocacy for human rights, and her battle with cancer, from which she recovered after treatment.

The 1984 recording of "Kinderszenen" and "Kreisleriana" by Robert Schumann, performed by Martha Argerich, is considered one of the finest solo performances of these works. To preserve the highest possible sound quality, the Schumann release was divided into two parts: the first side contains parts 1-6 of "Kreisleriana", and the second side includes parts 7-8, followed by the complete "Kinderszenen". Argerich is renowned for her ability to convey the depth and emotional range of the music, and this recording is an excellent example of her skill in delivering the full beauty and complexity of Schumann's works.

The album contains the complete recording of "Kinderszenen" and "Kreisleriana" with 21 parts.

Kreisleriana Op. 16

• A1. 1. Äußerst Bewegt = Agitatissimo
• A2. 2. Sehr Innig Und Nicht Zu Rasch = Con Molta Espressione, Non Troppo Presto
• A3. 3. Sehr Aufgeregt = Molto Agitato
• A4. 4. Sehr Langsam = Lento Assai
• A5. 5. Sehr Lebhaft = Vivace Assai
• A6. 6. Sehr Langsam = Lento Assai

• B1. 7. Sehr Rasch = Molto Presto
• B2. 8. Schnell Und Spielend = Vivace E Scherzando

Kinderszenen Op. 15 = Scenes From Childhood = Scènes D'Enfants = Scene Infantili

• B3. 1. Von Fremden Ländern Und Menschen = About Foreign Lands And Peoples
• B4. 2. Kuriose Geschichte = Curious Story
• B5. 3. Haschemann = Catch Me If You Can
• B6. 4. Bittendes Kind = Pleading Child
• B7. 5. Glückes Genug = Happiness
• B8. 6. Wichtige Begebenheit = Important Event
• B9. 7. Träumerei = Dreaming
• B10. 8. Am Kamin = At The Fireside
• B11. 9. Ritter Vom Steckenpferd = Knight Of The Hobby-Horse
• B12. 10. Fast Zu Ernst = Almost Too Serious
• B13. 11. Fürchtenmachen = Frightening
• B14. 12. Kind Im Einschlummern = Child Falling Asleep
• B15. 13. Der Dichter Spricht = Two Poets Speak