Carnaval, Fantasiestücke, Papillons

Broadly speaking Schumann wrote two different kinds of piano work: large-scale abstract works in traditional forms such as sonata and variation; and works in a genre he created himself the suite of small character pieces united by an emotional thread, often taking their inspiration from literature. The three works on this disc fall into the latter category and the programme opens with Papillons, only his second published work and arguably his first masterpiece. Its inspiration seems to come from the description of a masked ball in the novel Flegeljahre by Jean Paul. Carnaval inhabits the same world as Papillons but on a larger scale (they even share the same tune in their finales); it is probably Schumann’s most popular piano work and has been recorded by all the great pianists from Rachmaninov onwards. Fantasiestücke takes its inspiration from E T A Hofmann and is perhaps a more inward-looking cycle. All these works are cornerstones of the Romantic piano repertoire but Marc-André Hamelin need fear no comparison with his illustrious predecessors. There is a rare poetry and spontaneity in these performances, particularly that of Carnaval which Marc-André recorded as an afterthought in just a few takes when he finished a booked recording session early. Marc-André’s previous Schumann CD received excellent reviews this one is even better!

FANFARE BEST OF 2006

'Not since Sviatoslav Richter's classic 1962 live account of Papillons have these fluttering miniatures been so stunningly brought to life as by that genius of the piano, Marc-André Hamelin … Add an entrancing Op.12 Fantasiestücke to surpass even Argerich's, a stunning production from Andrew Keener and exemplary notes from Misha Donat, and you have a Schumann disc made in heaven' (Classic FM Magazine)

'All three of these sets of pieces by Schumann - Papillons, Fantasiestücke and Carnaval - explore the world of the composer's imagination. And it is that sense of fantasy that comes across so beautifully in Marc-André Hamelin's performances' (Evening Standard)

'Hamelin's combination of fleet-fingered delicacy and compelling drive suit Schumann's aesthetic ideally; but best of all is his gleeful sense of story-telling … The excellent sound-quality has all the warmth and detail that Hyperion habitually bring to Hamelin's CDs' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Marc-André Hamelin's refreshingly robust yet subtle, crystalline playing does justice to both sides of the composer's strange personality, the passionate Florestan and the dreamer Eusebius' (The Sunday Times)

'This is Hamelin's second Schumann recital for Hyperion. Once again, for the most part, there is a reassuring sense of a pianist expanding his poetic horizons as well as his legendary mastery' (Gramophone)

'All these works are played with a youthful vigour, and in Papillons Hamelin captures the spirit of the 20-year-old composer with lightness and clarity, subtle rubato and a dash of humour' (International Piano)

'It's not news, but it's worth repeating: Hamelin's technique is unsurpassed; and no pianist of comparable virtuosity has applied his or her skills with more tact and sublety...above and beyond the unparalleled level of detail, there's Hamelin's musicality and his consistently alert imagination, which give each of the 40-odd character pieces on this CD a distinct and meaningful character, mapping out the music's emotional shifts with a sureness that's astonishing' (Fanfare, USA)

'Exceptionally lucid performances of three standards - performances that show off, in equal measure, the creativity of composer and the interpretive sensitivity of the pianist, undeniably among the handful of great perfomers of his generation' (Fanfare, USA)

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Recording details: Various dates; Henry Wood Hall, London, United Kingdom; Produced by Various producers; Engineered by Various engineers; Release date: November 2005;