Composer: Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann
Performer: Mari Kodama
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Pentatone
Catalogue: PTC5186976
Release: 2022
Size: 2.01 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 1 in C major, Op. 1
01. I. Allegro
02. II. Andante
03. III. Scherzo. Allegro molto e con fuoco – Più mosso
04. IV. Finale. Allegro con fuoco
Brahms: Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 9
05. Thema. Ziemlich langsam
06. Var. 1, L’istesso tempo
07. Var. 2, Poco più moto
08. Var. 3, Tempo di tema
09. Var. 4, Poco più moto
10. Var. 5, Allegro capriccioso
11. Var. 6, Allegro
12. Var. 7, Andante
13. Var. 8, Andante
14. Var. 9, Schnell
15. Var. 10, Poco adagio
16. Var. 11, Un poco più animato
17. Var. 12, Allegretto, poco scherzando – Presto
18. Var. 13, Non troppo presto
19. Var. 14, Andante
20. Var. 15, Poco adagio
21. Var. 16, Adagio
22. Brahms: Theme & Variations in D Minor, Op. 18b
Schumann: Myrthen, op. 25 (Arr. C. Schumann for Solo Piano)
23. No. 1, Widmung
A musical portrait of the young Brahms and his friendship with the Schumanns.
In “New Paths”, Mari Kodama explores the young Johannes Brahms and his fascinating friendship with Clara and Robert Schumann. The album derives its title from Robert Schumann’s famous essay ‘Neue Bahnen”, in which he heralded the young Brahms as the most eminent musical voice of the future. The programme brings together Brahms’s First Piano Sonata, his Variations on a Theme by Robert Schumann, Op. 9, as well as his Theme and Variations, Op. 18B, made at Clara Schumann’s request. The final word is given to Clara’s arrangement of Robert’s song Widmung.
“New Paths” not only explores the unique bond of these three remarkable composers, but also shows the energetic self-confidence of the young Brahms, so different from his later melancholia. Kodama performs these works on a brand new Yamaha piano that almost sounds like a period instrument, coming much closer to Brahms’s sound ideal.