Schumann aimed for a balanced treatment of solo and orchestral parts in his Piano Concerto, conceiving it as a dialogue between equals rather than a competition.
Instruments
Isabelle Faust, the violinist, plays a Stradivarius violin from 1704, known as 'La Belle au bois dormant' (Sleeping Beauty), on loan from the L-Bank of Baden-Württemberg.
Recording & Production
The recording was made in May and August-September 2014 at Teldex Studio Berlin, with Martin Sauer as artistic director.
Recording & Production
The recording features a historical grand piano and string instruments with gut strings, aiming for a balanced, articulated, and open-minded performance.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Schumann's principle was that the 'artistic roots should be covered like those of a flower, so that we see only the blossom,' applying this to his contrapuntal writing.
Instruments
Jean-Guihen Queyras, the cellist, performs on a cello made by Gioffredo Cappa in 1696, loaned by Mécénat Musical Société Générale.
Instruments
Alexander Melnikov, the pianist, performs on two historical fortepianos: an Erard from 1837 for the Concerto and a Streicher from 1847 for the Trio.
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