The music on this disc falls easily on the ear, but as you might well imagine it’s a touch light on substance. These are the sorts of opera and ballet arrangements that the great 19th century virtuoso pianists such as Liszt and Thalberg made famous, but of course Hummel’s technique is, comparatively, somewhat underdeveloped, and seems more so as played (and recorded) on a Bösendorfer grand piano, with its characteristically rich bass and relatively shallow treble. That said, if mere pleasantry is enough, then there’s plenty to enjoy here.
Madoka Inui certainly projects the music’s innocent fun with a polished technique and the necessary rhythmic point. The brief Quintuor des nègres from the ballet Paul et Virginie (whatever that was) even anticipates the famous ballet in the triumphal scene of Verdi’s Aida. The Grand Fantasia from Oberons Zauberhorn, very loosely based on Weber, is the major work, striking a deeper note than the rest of the program. The disc is worth a listen for this piece alone. Collectors of early romantic piano repertoire will surely wish to explore this collection, despite the caveats previously mentioned. [6/23/2011]
