Schumann: Kinderszenen, Waldszenen, Papillons, Three Romances[Kempff]

Beautiful Eloquence/Deutsche-Grammophon CD boasting Wilhelm Kempff's interpretation of small piano pieces by Robert Schumann. Wilhelm Kempff shows his great range and amazing clear play under any circumstance.
I personally think he is too harsh sometimes, but his control is superb.

Kinderszenen and Three Romances were recorded in 1973; Waldszenen in 1974; and Papillons in 1967.

• Kinderszenen, op.15
1. Von fremden Ländern und Menschen
2. Kuriose Geschichte
3. Hasche-Mann
4. Bittendes Kind
5. Glückes genug
6. Wichtige Begebenheit
7. Träumerei
8. Am Kamin
9. Ritter vom Steckenpferd
10. Fast zu ernst
11. Fürchtenmachen
12. Kind im Einschlummern
13. Der Dichter spricht
• Waldszenen, op.82
1. Eintritt. Nicht zu schnell
2. Jager auf der lauer. Hochst lebhaft
3. Einsame Blumen
4. Verrufene Stelle
5. Freundliche Landschaft
6. Herberge. Mäßig
7. Vogel als Prophet. Langsam, sehr zart
8. Jagdlied. Rasch, kräftig
9. Abschlied. Nicht zu schnell
• Papillons, op.2
1. -
2. Prestissimo
3. -
4. Presto
5. (Grazioso)
6. -
7. Semplice
8. -
9. Prestissimo
10. vivo
11. -
12. Finale
• Three Romances, op.28
1. Sehr markiert
2. Einfach
3. Sehr markiert: (intermezzo 1:presto; intermezzo 2:etwas langsamer; wie vorher)

Schubert: Impromptus, Moments musicaux, Piano Sonatas [Kempff]

Kempff makes each note count for itself, and his control is superb at all times, through pianissimo or fortissimo passages alike.

Moments musicaux

Nice interweaving of echos, like jumping wild dogs in the bushes in #1.
Ah, famous #3. No wonder it is known by itself.
Lovely tempo for the theme in #4, and its baroque-like variation.

Piano Sonatas

Beautiful lyricism in movement 1 of D664. What a natural and simple way of flowing from one passage to another. What a beautiful theme in the 3rd movement, delicious way to end a CD.

Thoroughly delighted by the 1st movement of D960. It is a pearl by itself, and how enjoyable Kempff's transparent interpretation (just for this track alone is this CD worth it! ). The other movements are nice, of course, particularly the scherzo: allegro vivace. But all well below the 1st: molto moderato. I will quote the booklet, because if I wrote this myself, it would seem too far-fetched, but I feel this too[my emphasis]:

One would be reading too much into the score if one said that the [first] movement communicates a sense of leave-taking from life itself, but there is, beyond a doubt, resignation without resentment underlying the music.

Impromptus

I do not like Kempff's attacks, and the military air of #1. What a nice impromptu is #2of D899.
#3 is quite romantic, the beginning is somehow similar to Chopin. Playful yet insightful #4, like the unrest of the last Sunday before returning to school.

Beautiful lyricism in #2 of D935. Dreamy euphoria in #3, some parts sound like tango. Interesing slightly spanish obstinato in #4.

DISC 1
Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Piano Sonata	Bb	D960
Moments musicaux		D780 op.94
DISC 2
4 Impromptus		D899 op.90
4 Impromptus		D935 op.ph.142
Piano Sonata	A	D664 op.ph.120

Wilhelm Kempff: Great Pianists of the 20th Century

This CD from Philips Great Pianists of the 20th Century is the second of a 3 part view of Wilhelm Kempff, as chosen by Alfred Brendel, who admired Kempff.

I would have to agree that Michael Steinberg, whose comments appear in the accompanying booklet, that Kempff is particularly simple (I would add sober) in all these interpretations.

I, and now I am sure I am being shallow as my opinion contradicts Brendel's, did not like this CD. CD-2 I do not foresee me listening to, and CD-1 I am sure I can find more pleasurable (at least to my ear and experience) versions.

Regardless, this CD comes quite recommended elsewhere.

CD 1 Franz Schubert Piano Sonata in Am, D845 Moderato Andante, poco mosso Scherzo, Allegro vivace Rondo, Allegro vivace Beethoven Piano Sonata in Em, Op.90 Mit Lebhaftigkeit und durchaus mit Empfindung und Ausdruck Nicht zu geschwind und sehr singbar vorgetragen Mozart Piano Concerto #23 in A, KV 488 Ferdinand Leitner/Bamberger Symphoniker Allegro Adagio Allegro assai

CD 2 Franz Liszt Deux Légendes Saint François d'Assise: la prédication aux oiseaux Saint François de Paule marchant sur les flots Années de pèlerinage Première année: Suisse excerpts (7, 2, 4) Deuxième année: Italie excerpts (2, 3, 4, 5, 6) JS Bach + Kempff Nun komm' der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 Jesus bleibet meine Freude (from BWV 147) Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme (from BWV 140)

Beethoven: The Complete Violin Sonatas Vol.II

These are beautiful. In Deutsche Grammophon's edition, the 1970 recording by Yehudi Menuhin and Wilhelm Kempff is superb.


I have listened to this many times, and I still cannot come up with something intelligent to comment on them. My experience is only one, and I cannot decompose it into aspects. Thank God for this!

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Disc 1
Sonata for Piano and Violin	A	op.30 no.1
Sonata for Piano and Violin	Cm	op.30 no.2
Rondo for Piano and Violin	G	op. 30 no.3
Disc 2
Sonata for Piano and Violin	A	op.47		Kreutzer
Sonata for Piano and Violin	G	op.96

Beethoven: The Complete Violin Sonatas Vol.1

These are beautiful. In Deutsche Grammophon's edition, the 1970 recording by Yehudi Menuhin and Wilhelm Kempff is superb.
After "Frühlings Sonate" there is not much that can be listened.
I personally think that Kempff played much better than Menuhin, esp. in CD1. My impression is that Menuhin played "a little bit dirty", but it adds to the playfulness of the recording, which no doubt was enjoyed very much by both interpreters.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Disc 1
Sonata for Piano and Violin	D	op.12 no.1
Sonata for Piano and Violin	A	op.12 no.2
Sonata for Piano and Violin	Eb	op.12 no.3
Rondo for Piano and Violin	G	WoO 41
Disc 2
Sonata for Piano and Violin	Am	op.23
Sonata for Piano and Violin	F	op.24		"Spring Sonata"
Twelve Variations on "Se vuol ballare"		WoO 40		from Mozart's opera "Le nozze di Figaro"