Robert Schumann(1810-1856) Waldszenen, Opus 82 Pavel Jegorov Sony/Infinity Digital 64386 Recorded 1994 Couplings: Schumann's Papillons Schubert's Opus 90 Impromptus Total Time 70:54 Waldszenen Comparisons: Richter/DG & Arrau/Philips In Part 1, I reviewed four excellent recordings of the Waldszenen and concluded that Richter's and Arrau's were my preferred versions. Richter's was the best of the four, but his 5th and 6th Scenes were too heavily into the world of legato. Since Arrau's version was quite good and much better than the Richter in these two scenes, I also recommended acquisition of the Arrau. Now we have the relatively unknown pianist, Pavel Jegorov. However, I am familiar with his playing from other recordings on the super-bargain Infinity Digital label and even recently reviewed his performance of Schumann's Kinderszenen. In that review, I gave the reading a strong recommendation based on Jegorov's innate understanding of Schumann's psychology. Further, the man seems to have an instant affinity for melancholy; he sniffs it out, absorbs it totally, and then conveys it all incisively to the listener. One thing is certain - Jegorov has no intention of giving us 'mainstream' performances. He thinks his way through each piece of music, deciding which path will best present the music based on his insights. That his music-making can be had at a price lower than Naxos offerings seals the deal on highly desireable recordings. I can enthusiastically recommend Jegorov's Waldszenen as well. Actually, after the 1st Scene, I was thinking it had the potential to be the best on record. Jegorov's 1st Scene is transcendent in that it offers a religous/sacred atmosphere through a very slow pace with delicous changes in tempo and dynamics. He's quite distinctive and also more dramatic than the much quicker Arrau or Richter. With the opening of the powerful and desperate 2nd Scene, my expectations increased even further; Jegorov plays the introduction with an immediate vengence and with climax notes which rip into the listener. Unfortunately, he then gets to blustering as his tension takes a nosedive. It's like watching your favorite football team score the first three touchdowns and subsequently lose the game through lost intensity. So, the 1st Scene ends up being Jegorov's best, while the 2nd is his worst. The other scenes range from excellent to outstanding. Particularly memorable are his readings of the unusual 7th Scene and the highly poignant final Scene; the pacing and intervals Jegorov uses in the 7th Scene almost rival the magical version from Michel Block. Don's Conclusions: Not quite the superlative version that I initially thought it might be, Jegorov's Waldszenen is a fine achievement deserving of a strong recommendation along-side the Arrau and Richter recordings. Further, the two other works on the disc receive fine and idiomatic performances. Recorded sound is excellent and quite clear/crisp. Add in a very low price tag, and this is a disc to seek out with dedication. Next up is a Live Classics Waldszenen from the cult figure "Elisso". Don Satz [log in to unmask]