Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
Fugue et canons
Quatre pièces pour piano, op. 32
Prélude et fugato en si mineur, op. 99 n° 10
Etudes pour le piano à pédalier, op. 56
Canon en ré majeur, op. 124 n° 20
Esquisses pour le piano à pédalier, op. 58
Quatre fugues, op. 72
Sept pièces pour piano en forme de fugue, op. 126

Florian Uhlig, piano

Volume 7 of what will become the first truly complete recording of Schumann's piano works presents a hitherto underexposed aspect of his work : those compositions in which he deals with counterpoint. That these pieces are no more dry exercises in fugue becomes more than clear when listening to these two CDs. In his “contrapuntal” works Schumann blends a rigorous style with the Romantic characterpiece in a harmonious way. The studies for the pedal piano are a particularly clear example of how he adapted a Romantic tone to a fugal composition : melancholy, graceful, lyrical and flowing –played here in an arrangement for piano two hands by Florian Uhlig. On this program, there are numerous surprising pieces which help to provide a truly complete overall view of Schumann’s genius in a most beautiful way.