Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #85450 in Music
• Released on: 2007-01-01
• Number of discs: 13
• Format: Import
• Dimensions: .77 pounds

Customer Reviews

An Amazing Bargain
This is an incredible deal: 13 CD's for under $40, with all of Robert Schumann's solo piano music, expertly performed by Jorg Demus. While I am not always delighted by Demus' interpretations (especially his very dark Kreisleriana), he plays Schumann with real warmth and understanding. I notice new insights as I play these recordings, and of course hearing some pieces that are completely new is great. There is considerable if subtle emotional and intellectual involvement with these works, which are the heart of Schumann's compositions. Demus does not engage in showy or affected renderings. He is natural and gentle but hardly understated, reminiscent in those respects of Wilhelm Kempff, another fine exponent of Schumann's music. The sound is digital and very good. Alas, there are no notes at all and the packaging (a cardboard box that opens from the front) is inexpensive but each individual CD sleeve is heavier than paper and lists all the works on the CD in order, with times. Unless you are happy with the usual Schumann pieces that are generally available (and why should you be?), this is a good set to own.

Wonderful, intelligent recording -- incredible value.
(Note: Since this recording is identical to a much more expensive set available here and elsewhere -- with the exception of different packaging -- I'm posting the same review for both.)

Here are the complete piano works of that other Poet of the Piano played beautifully by an excellent pianist and presented in a no-frills package. I am amazed I've not heard these recordings prior to my having found a version of the recording presented here for less than $20. 13 CDs of this much fantastic playing of some of the greatest piano music ever composed...for under $20??

Demus plays this music extremely well. His playing isn't showy and it captures that inward-looking, searching quality of Schumann perfectly. His playing often reminds me of the fine Schumann recordings of Brendel. While I've thoroughly enjoyed comparing his versions of the more famous works I already own played by others (Kreisleriana op. 16, Fantasy op. 17, Davidsbundlertanze op. 6, etc.), I have been particularly satisfied exploring the other works I don't own and/or those with which I'm not so familiar such as the ABEGG variations op. 1 and the fugal studies. Demus is remarkably consistent over all these recordings, despite that they must have taken some years to complete.

As expected, the sound quality does differ from piece to piece. The Papillons op. 2 sound a bit muffled and distant, whereas the Waldszenen op. 82 are beautifully engineered. Be prepared for considerable differences in timbre, tone, and even articulation. Demus tends to voice the music favoring the treble, so expect lots of top voice; I occasionally wish for a bit more emphasis from the counterpoint, but overall I'm more than satisfied with his playing.

The recording is a cardboard box with thin cardboard sleeves, each stating what the enclosed CD contains. No liner notes, but Demus lets his fingers do the talking.

At less than $20, I can honestly state that I've never purchased such a music bargain for a brand new item of this quality. I recommend this recording to you as highly as I ever could.

Is this the same as the other Nuovo Era set?
This set appears to be the same as the Nuova Era set also listed on Amazon for a lot more money. The box and disks say Nuovo Era.

If it is DDD it is exceedingly strange indeed, as Papillons (at least) is mono.

A mystery, but be sure to read the customer reviews of that other box set.