Mikhail Pletnev – Pletnev Plays Schumann (2004) {SACD ISO + FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz}

Mikhail Pletnev gives polished, serious performances of these Schumann works. It is not that they are cold or uninviting, but more that normal people are to admire, but not touch them. Pletnev is always in control, making sure throughout the Symphonic Etudes that the melody is obvious and on top of whatever else may be going on. Each variation and etude is technically perfect, and even though there is a wide range of emotion, it is always sober. The less weighty ones, such as Etude No. 3, and Variations No. 4 and No. 5 have no sunshine in them. The brief Etude No. 9, marked Presto possible, is like a gnawing interpretation of Mendelssohn’s fairy music. The Fantasie also seems to exist on a higher plane than that of mere mortals. The second movement is a bit more engaging in its energy, but the otherworldly remoteness returns in the final movement. The Albumblätter and Arabeske receive a similar treatment. Yes, Schumann had a hard, depressing life, and yes, he was a genius composer, but surely, there is room in this music for some brightness, some sense of his humanity. Wonderful as Pletnev’s playing is, he has made other recordings where he invites the listener into the music more than he does with these Schumann pieces.

Tracklist:
CD1 #01. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Thema. Andante
CD1 #02. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Variation I. Un poco più vivo
CD1 #03. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Variation II. Marcato il canto
CD1 #04. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Etüde III. Vivace
CD1 #05. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Variation III
CD1 #06. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Variation IV
CD1 #07. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Variation V. Agitato
CD1 #08. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Variation VI. Allegro molto
CD1 #09. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Variation VII
CD1 #10. Symphonic Etudes in Variation Form (5), WoO 6 – Appendix Variation 5
CD1 #11. Symphonic Etudes in Variation Form (5), WoO 6 – Appendix Variation 1
CD1 #12. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Etüde IX. Presto possibile
CD1 #13. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Variation IX. Con espressione
CD1 #14. Symphonic Etudes (“Etudes in the form of variations”), Op. 13 – Finale. Allegro brillante
CD2 #01. Fantasie (Obolen auf Beethovens Monument) for piano in C major, Op. 17 – 1) Durchaus phantastisch und leidenschaftlich vorzutragen – Im Legendanton – Erstes Tempo
CD2 #02. Fantasie (Obolen auf Beethovens Monument) for piano in C major, Op. 17 – 2) Mäßig. Durchaus energisch – Etwas langsamer – Viel bewegter
CD2 #03. Fantasie (Obolen auf Beethovens Monument) for piano in C major, Op. 17 – 3) Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten – Etwas bewegter
CD2 #04. Bunte Blätter (14) (Colored Leaves) for piano, Op. 99 – 4) Albumblatt I: Ziemlich langsam
CD2 #05. Bunte Blätter (14) (Colored Leaves) for piano, Op. 99 – 5) Albumblatt II. Schnell
CD2 #06. Bunte Blätter (14) (Colored Leaves) for piano, Op. 99 – 6) Albumblatt III. Ziemlich langsam, sehr gesangvoll
CD2 #07. Bunte Blätter (14) (Colored Leaves) for piano, Op. 99 – 7) Albumblatt IV: Sehr langsam
CD2 #08. Bunte Blätter (14) (Colored Leaves) for piano, Op. 99 – 8) Albumblatt V: Langsam
CD2 #09. Arabesque – Arabeske for piano in C major, Op. 18

Recording: Berlin, Teldex Studio, 19-21 August 2003.
Produced by Christian Gansch Tonmeister. Editing: Mark Buecker.
Recording Engineer: Rainer Maillard. Balance Engineer: Raner Maillard
New surround mix: Gernot von Schultzendorff. Recorded, edited and mastered by Emit Berliner Studios.

SACD ISO

mqs.link_MikhailPletnevPletnevPlaysSchumann20042xSACDIS.part1.rar
mqs.link_MikhailPletnevPletnevPlaysSchumann20042xSACDIS.part2.rar
mqs.link_MikhailPletnevPletnevPlaysSchumann20042xSACDIS.part3.rar
mqs.link_MikhailPletnevPletnevPlaysSchumann20042xSACDIS.part4.rar
mqs.link_MikhailPletnevPletnevPlaysSchumann20042xSACDIS.part5.rar
mqs.link_MikhailPletnevPletnevPlaysSchumann20042xSACDIS.part6.rar

FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz

mqs.link_MikhailPletnevPletnevPlaysSchumann2004FLACStere2488.2.part1.rar
mqs.link_MikhailPletnevPletnevPlaysSchumann2004FLACStere2488.2.part2.rar