These performances were first released in 1995 as part of a two-disc “Martha Argerich and Friends” Schumann chamber music collection, and it’s great to have them back. With a force of nature such as Argerich behind the keyboard, the other Schumann Quintet participants have no choice but to play the hell out of their parts, ultimately lobbing the expressive ball back in the piano player’s face. The ease with which Argerich tosses off and shapes the Scherzo’s rapid chords is quite humbling to behold. No less intensity of interaction and imaginative nuance characterize the Andante and Variations, where the musicians’ amazing timbral adjustments to each other yield coloristic possibilities that Schumann himself likely didn’t fathom.
You might say the same for the Märchenbilder, where Nobuko Imai’s low viola strings sing with ample, cello-like richness and her agile bow arm makes child’s play of the third piece’s lightning arpeggiated patterns. It’s interesting to compare Argerich and Mischa Maisky’s recent DG recording of Schumann’s Fantasiestücke to this EMI version with the pianist and Natalia Gutman. Both readings incorporate a wide range of tempo fluctuation, yet I find the Argerich/Gutman team more fluent, conversational, and heartfelt. No Schumann lover (or Argerich fan, needless to say) should be without this incredible disc.
