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Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Fantasies Reviews
Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Fantasies Reviews
| 14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:  Tasty Early 19th-Century Piano Music, By This review is from: Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Fantasies (Audio CD) More than fifty years ago I first encountered Hummel when I was learning the Mozart Piano Concerto No. 20 in D Minor, K. 466; the edition I was using had the Hummel cadenzas for that magnificent concerto, and in comparison to the Mozart they were pretty lame. (Fortunately, my teacher steered me towards the Beethoven cadenzas which are vastly superior and the ones almost universally used.) So my early poor opinion of Hummel was influenced by that experience. Since then, of course, I've learned better. He may not be Mozart or Beethoven, but he's an estimable composer nonetheless and this CD of piano Fantasies supports that assessment. When they were written touring piano virtuosi were expected to supply music for their own programs, and fantasias often based on familiar melodies were all the rage. One of them here (and one of the most impressive, in my opinion) is the Fantasie in G Minor, Op. 123, which is reportedly having its first recording here. The pianist is Vienna-based Madoka... Read more 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:  Different Interpretation, This review is from: Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Fantasies (Audio CD) I enjoyed reading the various reviews and it does show some debate over how Hummel's music should be played. have wondered if his popularity in his lifetime was as much about his wonderful personality and fine musicianship as his music and when he died his music for a long time died with him. Inui is an addition to an increasing list of pianists to record his solo Piano works. Yes I enjoyed some tracks on this CD very much others I did not. I did enjoy the Fantasie OP 18 but the OP 19 really seems to drag as it progresses. Much rather prefer the Chrsitine Croshaw recording which really springs to life. Other will no doubt disagree. Still a very fine CD overall 3 of 4 people found the following review helpful: More than interpretation, By Orfeo Gentile (Vienna, Austria) - See all my reviews This review is from: Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Fantasies (Audio CD) Has Mr. Berlioz fan held the score of Hummel's op. 18 in his hands? Has he heard other recordings of that work? I happened to do both for scientific reasons. And I can assure everybody: Mrs. Inui is almost crossing the borderline between interpretation and free creativity to bring the hidden qualities of that music to light. Played as Hummel put it down many a bar sounds banal and conservative, behind its time and not infront of it as Hummel`s music is in fact. Comparing op. 18 played by Mrs. Giuliana Corni or Mr. Ludovit Marcinger with Madoka Inui's interpretation you will hear what I mean. So: five stars for an outstanding interpretation. |
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