Slavka Pechocova Plays Schumann & Chopin (2011) {SACD ISO + FLAC 24bit/88,2kHz}

Slávka Pěchočová s playing reflects the rigor of her first teacher, Martin Hrsel, and the almost Impressionistic expressiveness of her second, the famous Ivan Moravec. Here she performs Robert Schumann’s Carnaval and a selection of works by Frédéric Chopin, including the Ballade No.3, Nocturne No.13, Scherzo No.4 and the Fantaisie Op.49. All are animated by her lively, naturally virtuosic style. This program represents the very essence of the Romantic piano.

An improbable series of portraits/masks and Carnival scenes, animated by a Czech pianist who imposes a lively, naturally virtuoso style but without vain outpourings and languor that would denature these pieces from 1843-46, the very essence of the Romantic piano, alongside Liszt.

After graduating from the conservatory in Pardubice under the guidance of Martin Hršel, Slávka Pěchočová studied with Ivan Moravec. She also participated in master classes given by Nelly Akopian and, in 2002 completed the graduate programme at the Royal College of Music in London. Pěchočová has played with various orchestras, at home and abroad, conducted by Libor Pešek, Jiří Bělohlávek, Martin Turnovský, Jakub Hrůša, et al. In the summer of 2009 she was a guest soloist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra at Royal Albert Hall in London during the Proms. Pěchočová also pursues chamber music: she plays in the Spring duo and the Kinsky Trio Prague. Her 2010 recording of Janáček for Praga Digitals was enthusiastically received.

Tracklist:
01. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Preambule
02. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Pierrot
03. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Arlequin
04. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Valse noble
05. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Eusebius
06. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Florestan
07. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Coquette
08. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Replique
09. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Papillons
10. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – ASCH-SCHA [Lettres dansantes]
11. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Chiarina
12. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Chopin
13. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Estrella
14. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Reconnaissance
15. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Pantalon et Colombine
16. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Valse allemande
17. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Paganini
18. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Aveu
19. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Promenade
20. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Pause
21. Schumann: Carnaval, Op. 9 – Marche des Davidsbundler contre les Philistins
22. Chopin: Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47 – Allegretto
23. Chopin: Nocturne No. 13 in C minor, Op. 48 No. 1
24. Chopin: Scherzo No. 4 in E major, Op. 54
25. Chopin: Fantasia in F minor, Op. 49 – Marcia. Grave