Composer: Franz Peter Schubert, Robert Schumann
Performer: Rudolf Serkin
Orchestra: Philadelphia Orchestra
Conductor: Eugene Ormandy
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Sony
Catalogue: G010001040006O
Release: 2005
Size: 306 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Schumann: Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 54
01. I. Allegro affettuoso
02. II. Intermezzo. Andantino grazioso
03. III. Allegro vivace
04. Schumann: Introduction & Allegro appassionato in G major, Op. 92
Schubert: Moments Musicaux, D780, Op. 94
05. No. 1 in C Major. Moderato
06. No. 2 in A-Flat Major. Andantino
07. No. 3 in F Minor. Allegro moderato
08. No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor. Moderato
09. No. 5 in F Minor. Allegro vivace
10. No. 6 in A-Flat Major. Allegretto
As beautiful as they are and as wonderful as it is to hear them, one can only regret the inclusion of Rudolf Serkin’s recording of Schubert’s Moments Musicaux on this disc otherwise given to his recordings of Schumann’s Piano Concerto and Introduction and Allegro appassionato with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Their inclusion implies two inevitable conclusions: that Serkin’s recording of Schumann’s Introduction and Allegro with Ormandy and the Philadelphia will probably not be reissued and that Serkin’s other Schubert recordings might never be reissued.
This would be a shame. All three of Serkin’s recordings of Schumann’s works for piano and orchestra were easily among the best ever made — indeed, his recordings of the Introduction and Allegro appassionato and Introduction and Allegro have yet to be bettered — and together on a single disc they would be unbeatable. And all Serkin’s Schubert recordings were easily among the best ever made — indeed, his recording of the late Sonata in A major has never been bettered — and the more of them that are available, the better. But still, the performances here are so soulful, so inward, so lyrical, and so profound that it would be hard to resist this disc, despite its dire implications. Sony’s remastering of Columbia’s original stereo recordings is cleaner, rounder, and more real than many of its digital recordings.