In the late 1980s Vladimir Ashkenazy began a solo Schumann cycle for Decca. The project was curtailed after eight CDs, none of which lasted long in the catalog. Perhaps they’ll enjoy a longer shelf life in the form of this space-saving, budget-priced boxed set. That said, I must address one major consideration: the engineering. None of these recordings represents Decca’s best solo piano efforts. Indeed, the C major Fantasy, Faschingsschwank aus Wien, and Sonata No. 1 reduce Ashkenazy’s wonderful tone to metallic, murky, dynamically constricted, unlistenable crud. For my comments concerning the pianist’s digital remakes of the Symphonic Etudes, Humoreske, and Kreisleriana versus his earlier analog counterparts, type Q6186 in Search Reviews. In each case I prefer the younger Ashkenazy, although the Humoreskes differ enough in detail for me to cast an undecided vote.
Carnaval inspires some of Ashkenazy’s most poetic playing on disc, especially in his subtle variations of voicing and balance during many of the repeats. This also holds true for the Arabeske and Blumenstück. His whirling dispatch of the Second Sonata’s breackneck Finale or Traumeswirren’s supple finger twisting will silence those who claim that Ashkenazy’s incredible technique had slipped in inverse proportion to his growing podium mastery. The pianist also makes the most of Davidsbundlertanze’s quirky mood swings, and, like Richter, projects the First, Second, and Eighth Noveletten with strength, assurance, and poetry. The Waldszenen and Bunte Blätter are no less beautiful and intelligently characterized.
To be sure, none of these performances challenges my reference versions: Lupu’s Humoreske; Rubinstein’s Fantasiestücke, Arabeske, and Carnaval; Arrau’s Fantasy; Argerich’s Second Sonata; Andsnes’ First Sonata; Horowitz’s Kreisleriana and Bluemstück; Michelangeli’s Faschingsschwank aus Wien; plus Richter’s Symphonic Etudes, Abegg Variations, Bunte Blatter; and Schiff’s Noveletten). Still, Ashkenazy and Schumann work well together, and the pianist’s best efforts on behalf of this composer deserve serious attention.
