Here's a review of a CD that's a knockout. If anyone can answer the
question I raise about the variant ending of the Schumann Fantasie,
I'd appreciate hearing it. Thanks.
Brahms: Variations and Fugue in B flat on a Theme of Handel;
Schumann: Fantasia in C; Arabesque
Arnaldo Cohen, piano
Vox 7539
5 out of 5 stars
Red-blooded, Virtuosic Playing
Arnaldo Cohen had never been on my radar scope until this CD
came my way. I know I will have to seek out whatever else he's
recorded, at least in the High Romantic repertoire. Like the
earlier reviewers, I'm giving an all-out rave to this disc. The
two main pieces here - the Schumann Fantasie in C and the Brahms
Variations on a Theme of Handel - although from the Romantic
stable, are very different from each other. The Fantasie is an
unbuttoned emotional outpouring; the Brahms an orderly, even
academic set of variations (although not without moments of high
drama). It would be somewhat unusual for a single pianist to
play them equally well. When I listened to the Fantasie I was
bowled over but wondered, 'OK, how will he do with the Brahms.'
I needn't have worried.
The Fantasie is so emotionally driven that it is almost willful,
but it never gets out of control and is utterly convincing. There
is a good deal of manipulation of tempi and dynamics for expressive
reasons. It reminds me somewhat of a concert performance I once
heard by Yuri Egourov, although it is much more virtuosic, and
Lord knows that's needed in the treacherous second movement. I
have one question, though: What is with the ending of the third
movement? Cohen interpolates some harmonic changes and a short
recap of the ending of the first movement into the ending of the
third. I've never heard this done before and it certainly isn't
what's printed in my Edition Peters score. I do know that Charles
Rosen recorded some of Schumann's earlier versions of his piano
music some years ago but never heard those recordings; could
this be one of those variants? It makes no real difference in
the long run; the performance is still one of the great ones.
But the first time that variant ending sailed past my jaw dropped.
The Brahms starts properly, with chaste trills and runs, but by
Variations 3 & 4 Cohen's Latin temperament begins coming out
and, although it never gets out of hand, there is more heat and
passion than one ordinarily hears in this piece. When appropriate
he returns to the more neatly classic approach in the variations
that require it (e.g. Var. 12). The overall effect is certainly
exciting! At first I wasn't sure what to make of it, but as I
listened again and again it came to feel right. I went back to
recordings by people like Serkin and Brendel and they began
sounding, well, tame. I think it comes down to the fact that
many great pieces can tolerate widely differing interpretive
approaches and it was nice to hear this one.
Schumann's Arabesque concludes this well-filled disc (TT=66mins.)
and is rather more mainstream (although somewhat faster than
usual) than the two big pieces. No matter; it is nicely done and
a satisfying conclusion to the recital.
Arnaldo Cohen is clearly a major pianist. If I were in charge
of things, I'd make sure he had major bookings and recordings.
He deserves to be heard.
Finally, there is the amazingly low budget price of this CD. You
really can't afford NOT to buy this one.
Highest recommendation.
Scott Morrison
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