Schumann: Kinderszenen / Fantasy / Liszt: Sonata in B Minor

Featuring

Dag Achatz
Robert Schumann
Franz Liszt

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Compositional Technique

Liszt's Sonata in B minor is a cyclical work, meaning its different parts evolve from a single theme and are played without interruption, departing from the traditional classical sonata form.

Performer Biography

Dag Achatz, the pianist on this album, has received superlative reviews for his piano transcriptions of Stravinsky's 'Rite of Spring' and 'Firebird Suite,' and Bernstein's 'Symphonic Dances' from 'West Side Story.'

Composition History

Schumann's Kinderszenen, Op. 15, and Fantasy in C major, Op. 17, were composed during a four-year period of personal struggle and separation from Clara Wieck, who later became his wife.

Performer Biography

Leonard Bernstein was so impressed by Dag Achatz's piano transcriptions that he asked Achatz to transcribe and record a piano version of his ballet 'Fancy Free.'

Composer Biography

Robert Schumann, a composer featured on this album, suffered a hand injury that ended his piano studies, caused by an unfortunate technique intended to develop finger independence.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Schumann's Kinderszenen, Op. 15, though themed around children, were not intended for child performers due to their advanced piano writing, and the descriptive titles were added after the music was composed.

Composition History

Franz Liszt, a composer on this album, dedicated his Sonata in B minor to Robert Schumann, who in turn had dedicated his masterpiece, the Fantasy, Op. 17, to Liszt.