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Schumann Novelletten Op. 21, Nicholas Roth, piano - Blue Griffin - BGR101
The Novelletten, like most of Schumann’s piano music up to the time of his marriage, were inspired by Clara Wieck, and her image, heard through Schumann’s passion-driven imagination, permeates the work. Unlike the earlier Clara-inspired piano cycles, with their exuberant expression in small forms (Davidsbůndlertänze, e.g.), the eight pieces making up the Novelletten show Schumann entering a new phase, with longer, more discursive “short” pieces. He incorporates styles from earlier traditions—a march, a toccata, a polonaise in the form of a rondo—and creates a classic-romantic work of profound beauty. Perhaps because of their length (over 45 minutes) and a more restrained emotionalism, the Novelletten don’t usually have the same appeal for young pianists as Schumann’s earlier works. Thus, the coincidence of having two new CDs by gifted young artists is a happy event. Nicholas Roth is a pianist from Michigan with a string of triumphs, including prizes in competitions, highest honors from Indiana University’s School of Music, and even recognition by the Michigan House of Representatives for his contribution to the performing arts. The Novelletten were recorded in a church in Michigan in 2001, with excellent results—the sound is sumptuous and rich; but more important, his playing is simply wonderful. He captures Schumann’s romantic style fully with rapturous, soaring phrases, a subtly expressive reaction to key changes, and the tasteful, unexaggerated use of rubato.
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