An affectionate portrayal of a Romantic master at his most intimate
The Strad Issue: December 2024
Description: An affectionate portrayal of a Romantic master at his most intimate
Musicians: Maxim Rysanov (viola) Julian Bliss (clarinet) Dasol Kim (piano)
Works: Schumann: Fantasiestücke op.73 (arr. Rysanov); Adagio and Allegro op.70; Märchenerzählungen op.132; Märchenbilder op.113; songs from Dichterliebe op.48 and Liederkreis op.24 (arr. Rysanov)
Catalogue number: ONYX ONYX4245
Maxim Rysanov has filled out this disc of Schumann originals with a few extra pieces, including several of his own song arrangements. He begins with the Fantasiestücke op.73, originally for clarinet, caressing the long, lyrical lines of the first piece with expressive dynamic subtlety and liberal vibrato. He and pianist Dasol Kim chase each other’s tails in the ‘Lebhaft’, and he opens the third movement with a swagger, and thereafter plays with nervy, unsettling urgency. Six songs come next, four from Dichterliebe and two from Liederkreis op.24. Rysanov favours the slower ones, imbuing them with wistful melancholy.
The Adagio and Allegro op.70 follows, continuing the inward-looking musing with playing of quiet beauty and captivating eloquence before the robust fanfares of the Allegro break the mood, with strong, fluent playing to follow.
Clarinettist Julian Bliss joins Rysanov and Kim for the Märchenerzählungen op.132. There is easy-going charm here, with the second movement sprightly and humorous and the third a mellow duet above the gently moving piano. Finally comes Märchenbilder op.113, with crisp, martial double-stops in the second movement, a sharp edge to the scurrying semiquaver triplets of the third and warm-toned reverence in the final ‘Langsam’, which ends with the gentle softness of a lullaby. The recording is clear and close.
TIM HOMFRAY
No comments yet