Track Listing

1. Pieces (3) for piano, Op. 11: No. 1, Massig
2. Pieces (3) for piano, Op. 11: No. 2, Massig
3. Pieces (3) for piano, Op. 11: No. 3, Bewegt
4. Little Pieces (6) for piano, Op. 19: No. 1, Leicht, zart
5. Little Pieces (6) for piano, Op. 19: No 2, Langsam
6. Little Pieces (6) for piano, Op. 19: No. 3, Sehr langsam
7. Little Pieces (6) for piano, Op. 19: No. 4, Rasch, aber leicht
8. Little Pieces (6) for piano, Op. 19: No. 5, Etwas rasch
9. Little Pieces (6) for piano, Op. 19: No. 6, Sehr langsam
10. Pieces (5) for piano, Op. 23: No. 1, Sehr langsam
11. Pieces (5) for piano, Op. 23: No. 2, Sehr rasch
12. Pieces (5) for piano, Op. 23: No. 3, Langsam
13. Pieces (5) for piano, Op. 23: No. 4, Schwungvoll
14. Pieces (5) for piano, Op. 23: No. 5, Gigue
15. Suite for Piano, Op. 25
16. Suite for Piano, Op. 25
17. Suite for Piano, Op. 25
18. Suite for Piano, Op. 25
19. Suite for Piano, Op. 25
20. Suite for Piano, Op. 25
21. Suite for Piano, Op. 25
22. Pieces (2) for piano, Op. 33: Piano Piece, Op. 33a
23. Pieces (2) for piano, Op. 33: Piano Piece, Op. 33b

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #141113 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
The first great pianist to record all of Schoenberg's piano music was Glenn Gould, and if you grew up with Gould's interpretations, then you're in for a shock. In the first place, Pollini actually plays what Schoenberg wrote--Gould freely altered the text in ways that would have driven the composer insane. And then there's the humming--yes, believe it or not, Gould did manage to sing along as he played. Pollini's quieter, less vocal approach conveys much more of what Schoenberg actually wrote, with no sacrifice of expressiveness. And although most of the pieces on this disc are quite short, they are nonetheless important. It was in his piano works that Schoenberg worked out his theories of free atonality and 12-tone composition. So for anyone interested in these critical musical developments, this disc is essential listening. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews

Schoenberg's Short Masterpieces
I am astonished by the review that gave this only 1 star. Schoenberg, even though he never played the piano, wrote masterfully for the instrument. These pieces advance piano literature by light-years, and one should not be prejudiced against them because none of them are written in his early post-Wagnerian manner. My advice: listen to each piece for 5 times consecutively. Then you will behold the poignant expressionism that many of the pieces convey. Great Works of Music. A Must for anyone interested in 20th Century Music.

A terrible beauty is born.
What an incredibly powerful work of art this album is. A previous reviewer referred to the music as being extremely sensual and decadent; it is that and more. I would call it both erotic and demonic. It is also unbelievably intimidating at first! But such is to be expected in an intimate encounter with raw and complex genius. Pollini truly believes in the beauty and terror of this music; it is an immaculate and inspired performance, full and bursting with fiery energy and sudden, unpredictable humanity.

a staggering interpretation with 100% conviction
Schoenberg's music can be difficult for the first time listener - that I admit. If you give it some time, though, it begins to make much more sense, and the passion and expression written into the score begin to come out. It may not happen the first or second time you listen to this record, but if you put forth an effort, it will happen. Pollini plays these pieces with 100% conviction - absolutely essential for this music to come across. I would call his music making immaculate. As for that other review of this disc and the comments on Schoenberg, that listener did not do his homework on Schoenberg or the system which he created. Schoenberg did not set out to destroy tonality, he merely took the next logical step and devised a system (which even he does not strictly follow) that is derived from natural acoustical principles (overtone series). No self-respecting musicologist or even afficionado can deny that. If your not sure, do your own reasearch and find out. As part of your reasearch, buy this album - if you approach it with an open mind, it will not displease.