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I bought the music to this today. Has anyone ever heard it or played it?

Yes, I've heard it, no I haven't played it. The C Major Fantasy is a great work, and it also happens to be quite demanding on the pianist (I suppose the listener as well!). I love Schumann's music! I also have his autograph

I recitaled it many years ago. It's been soooo long that I don't even remember the other pieces in the program. This is a super demanding piece, both musically and technically. Some accomplished pianist here does not care for this major composition of Schumann...

I still do remember that killer coda with break-neck speed doing big skips with pinkies of both hands. I spent weeks, if not months just to polish it up for recital.

Rgds,
AndrewG

[ January 21, 2002: Message edited by: AndrewG ]

I've actually been rethinking it lately and listening to it more. I think that I originally disliked it because lots of people at school tend to botch it up. Do you have any suggestions as for as recordings go?

howoritz!!!

So it is quite difficult technically after all.

I like the Schumann Fantasy, especially the first movement. However, I think I like the Schubert Wanderer Fantasy a bit more.

As for a recording, I have one that I'm happy with. Maurizio Pollini on Deutsche Grammophon. This recording has both the Wanderer Fantasy and Schumann's C major Fantasy.

Brendan,

That was my problem with Schumann's Fantasy when I was in school, I heard bad performances which turned me off on the work. Same with Kriesleriana.

Richter (which can be found on the Great Pianists of the 20th Century) coaxes a lot out of it, although he takes some of it a bit too slowly for my tastes, but it is still a recording I enjoy. Who have you been listening to?

Ryan

I've heard Pollini, which I think is distant even for his style of playing. Kind of the same issue with Murray Periah, although there is a little bit more warmth and involvement.

My roommate has a recording of Kissin doing it and says that it is wonderful, so I'll give that one a shot.

Richter is the opposite of distant - I think it comes off as a very personal recording. Might be worth checking to see if the library has it. I can't remember if I have heard Kissin, although I would expect it to be a scintilating, straight-up performance. I would be interested to hear your thoughts about it.

Ryan

i never cared for the schumann fantasy much either, but horowitz's recording has made me like it very much...can anyone dispute his greatness?

I never cared for Horowitz's mannerism and idiosyncrasies. His Schumann Fantasy recorded when he came out of a long silence in 1965, however, is more than exemplary. That indeed is an outstanding reading...

AndrewG

My favorite recording is Horowitz', despite a few small mistakes here & there. He really got to the heart of this music, and this performance is more direct than some of his other Schumann playing (like that God-awful Kinderszenen from 1982).

I have Pollini's recording, and while it is technically unsurpassable, I find it curiously uninvolving. Kempff's performance is disappointing, too. Kissin's performance is convincing, and comes coupled with some stunning Liszt Trancendental Etudes.

But, I'll always love the Horowitz!

I don't know why I didn't think of the Horowitz recording. He does a few things I don't like, but overall it is a very moving performance.

Looks like I will have to pick up the Kissin recording.

Ryan