Composer: Robert Schumann
Performer: Tom Winpenny
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Catalogue: 8574432
Release: 2023
Size: 238 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Four Sketches, Op. 58
01. No. 1, Nicht schnell und sehr markiert
02. No. 2, Nicht schnell und sehr markiert
03. No. 3, Lebhaft
04. No. 4, Allegretto
Studies in Canonic Form, Op. 56
05. No. 1, Nicht zu schnell
06. No. 2, Mit innigem Ausdruck
07. No. 3, Andantino
08. No. 4, Innig
09. No. 5, Nicht zu schnell
10. No. 6, Adagio
Six Fugues on B-A-C-H, Op. 60
11. No. 1 in B-Flat Major
12. No. 2 in B-Flat Major
13. No. 3 in G Minor
14. No. 4 in B-Flat Major
15. No. 5 in F Major
16. No. 6 in B-Flat Major
Schumann’s studies in counterpoint during 1845 climaxed in what he described as a ‘Fugenpassion’. He rented a pedalboard attachment for his piano to extend his music’s textural possibilities and to help familiarise himself with organ technique. The resulting character pieces are amongst the most attractive examples for this instrument, and they translate so successfully to the organ that they have become a significant cornerstone of the repertoire. They are performed here on the historic and recently restored Furtwängler organ in Gronau, Germany – an instrument with a wide palette of colours that is well suited to Schumann’s expressive works. Booklet notes for this release have been written by Tom Winpenny, and there are additional notes on the organ used (St Matthai, Fronau) with full specifications of its impressive range of registers.