A hurricane usually revolves around a windless eye. On this CD it is exactly the other way around: a stormy passionate Sonata with two virtually silent cycles on the flanks. You would like to know what made Mitsuko Uchido to put the music on CD in this surprising order. Unfortunately, the booklet does not mention it. Schumann's virtuoso Second Sonata was created in the 1830s (with a complete
… replacement of the original finale in 1838). Especially the tempo indications in the opening movement elicited the necessary comment. In the beginning, Schumann noted 'As soon as possible', later followed by 'Faster' and 'Even faster'. This virtuoso sonata is thus framed here with two largely silent cycles, which in Uchida's hands are already given almost a touch of fragile porcelain. The Waldszenen - with ao the wondrous Bird as Prophet - was completed in early 1849. The sadly lesser known Gesänge der Frühe are notable for their original poetry and expression. They evoke all kinds of feelings prior to dawn, or so they were intended. To Schumann's mind, however, they heralded the eternal night, because by 1853 the mentally weak composer was no longer at his best. The Gesänge der Frühe thus formed Schumann's last coherent piano cycle. (HJ) because in 1853 the mentally weak composer was no longer at his best. The Gesänge der Frühe thus formed Schumann's last coherent piano cycle. (HJ) because in 1853 the mentally weak composer was no longer at his best. The Gesänge der Frühe thus formed Schumann's last coherent piano cycle. (HJ)more
