Robert Schumann(1810-1856)
Bunte Blatter, Opus 99
Part 2 covers the following versions of the Bunte Blatter:
Jorg Demus......Nuova Era 7322(1989)
Uriel Tsachor...Discover International 920185(1994)
Denes Varjon....Naxos 8.550680(1992)
Jorg Demus is the well-known pianist of this trio. Uriel Tsachor is
a young Israeli adult who graduated from the Tel-Aviv Rubin Academy and
the Julliard School of Music. He has studied with Mindru Katz and Joseph
Kalichstein, won prestigious piano competitions, and worked with many fine
orchestras including the Israel Philharmonic. Obviously, he hasn't made it
'big', and he might not have any strong desire to do so.
I'd like to tell you something about Denes Varjon, but all I know is that
Varjon has also recorded for the Capriccio, Hungaroton, and Laslerlight
labels. Although the Naxos liner notes are informative concerning the
music, there is no mention of the pianist. I even went to the Naxos
website where they have their gallery of performing artists; Varjon isn't
there either.
Naxos might treat Varjon as the 'forgotten' man, but I'll certainly
remember him; his Bunte Blatter is a fine accomplishment at least as worthy
as the excellent version from Youri Egorov on EMI. He exhibits exceptional
flow and pacing without ever getting sentimental or syrupy.
Poignancy holds no problems for Varjon as evidenced immediately from
the 1st Movement, and the 2nd Movement clearly reveals that he switches
to exuberance and power in great fashion. Best of all, Varjon's voice
projection, balance, and interplay are outstanding. In that 1st Movement,
his middle voice carries the rhythm beautifully, while the 6th Movement
finds his bass-line very prominent and stunning. He also well conveys
Schumann's wild and disoriented side in the 5th Movement.
As Varjon progresses through the Bunte Blatter he continues to impress,
and his last three movements are exceptional. The 12th Movement, in B
flat major, starts off mysteriously and then becomes regal and heroic.
The 13th Movement is a Scherzo in G minor where Varjon possesses a rhythmic
vitality and bounce second to none. The last movement is also in G minor
and presents a quick march full of gusto and good humor in Varjon's hands.
I end up very pleased with the Varjon performance of the Bunte Blatter,
one of the best on record. The sound quality given Varjon is not
outstanding, but it is a little better than what Demus and Tsachor have
working for them. The Nuova Era sound is rather heavy and piano notes can
'ping' frequently as is common for piano discs from the 1980's. Tsachor's
sound is a somewhat glassy with a 'veil' that doesn't allow for much
crispness.
Given the low Naxos price, Varjon should be seriously considered by
Schumann enthusiasts. The disc's coupling is Schumann's famous Fantasy
in C, and total playing time is a healthy 67:49. Strongly and heartily
recommended, I am currently wondering why someone like Volodos is the next
great star on the horizon while Denes Varjon remains obscure. Judging from
their Schumann performances, it could be the other way around. Life just
isn't fair, but I like to think that skewed patterns ultimately straighten
out.
If you are interested in other Varjon discs, I know of a Beethoven disc and
a Chopin disc on the Capriccio label and a Hungaroton CD of cello sonatas
by Dohnanyi and Lajtha. In addition, Varjon is included on a number of
Laserlight 'mood' and 'theme' discs.
Concerning the Tsachor recording, he comes up with a worthy set of
performances with a few reservations. Tsachor tends to take a relaxed
approach to the work. Exciting movements like the 2nd and 5th don't have
that last ounce of urgency; actually, a lack of high tension runs through
his interpretations and reduces the compelling nature of Schumann's
psychology. Inflections could be more effective such as in the 12th
Movement, and Tsachor sometimes conveys a blustering demeanor since his
foundations lacks sufficient tension.
I'm likely being too hard on Tsachor. His disc is at a super-bargain
price, and I find the performance rewarding if ultimately not at top
interpretive levels. When Tsachor does provide the necessary tension, such
as in the 10th Movement, the results are outstanding. The disc's coupling
is Schumann's Humoreske, and you don't have much to lose if you opt to
acquire the recording. On the other hand, Varjon's disc is a much better
proposition and also priced quite low. Personally, I don't plan on playing
the Tsachor in the near future and will place it in my library next to the
Volodos.
Jorg Demus shows immediately in the 1st Movement a level of urgency
missing in Tsachor's performance; the mix of comfort and tension is
central to the piece, and Demus hits the target as well as Varjon. There
are some movements where I feel Demus can not be matched. In the 2nd
Movement, the power and excitement he offers is exceptional. In the
poignant 4th Movement, Demus 'reaches out' more effectively than in any
other version I know. The 10th Movement finds Demus conveying a most
desperate situation, and his delicate second section from the 11th Movement
has a subtle urgency to die for.
Only one movement from Demus is not really satisfying. He is much too
subdued in the austere and powerful 5th Movement; most performers start
out with the 'heat' and tighten it as they progress, Demus starts out as
if he's on a picnic and takes his sweet time working up a sweat.
Overall, the Demus Bunte Blatter is one of the best on record. The
companion works on his disc are the Op. 8 Allegro, Op. Posth. Scherzo
in F minor, Op. 76 Vier Marsche, and the Op. 72 Vier Fugen.
Don's Conclusions: I have one more version to review from Richter on
Olympia, but that could be problematic. I know I've had it in my house for
some time, by my house is saying otherwise. So, I have ordered it, but the
'back-order blues' is in place. If that source doesn't succeed shortly,
I'll also order through other sources. Anyways, it could take a long time
or not yield the desired results at all. Any acquisition problems I have
always seem to involve Russian artists and/or composers.
Here's how the reviewed versions stack up at this point:
Strongly Recommended...Varjon, Demus, and Engerov.
Mildly Recommmended....Vogt.
Not Recommended........Volodos and Tsachor.
Among the three best versions of the Bunte Blatter, Demus is the
high-priced man, but I do believe his recording is well worth the extra
money. The Volodos recording is the worst bet since it is at premium
price, not competitive, and therefore can't possibly be justified.
Given that the Bunte Blatter is not among Schumann's most rewarding solo
piano works, my best advice is to not go below the strongly recommended
performances. Three Bunte Blatters is enough for anyone solely into
listening.
Don Satz
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