Schumann – Opus 56 & 60

Writing for organ was not really Schumann’s thing – nor was delving into the neo-baroque world of Bach, at least not to the same extent as his contemporary Mendelssohn, so it is interesting that he wrote his only two substantial pieces in the genre in 1845; the same year that Mendelssohn was writing his organ sonatas. No doubt a true scholar will tell me if that was only coincidence…

Babel

For weeks I was sure I did not want to review this issue, put off by the tiresome and misleading album title, Babel. It refers to the concept behind the programme, namely works that imitate speech through the language of the string quartet…

The Lyrical Clarinet Vol. 3

When composers play or conduct they seldom get sentimental. They rely on the quality of the music to make the emotional points rather than trying to drag every breath of pathos out of the phrasing. Ades approaches Janacek with just that balance between affection and respect. These pieces, the best of the Moravian’s piano music, come across as beautifully articulated essays, serious reflections on some harrowing events that at the same time need no narrative to stand as introspective masterpieces. There is plenty of drama, no showmanship or virtuosity for its own sake….