SCHUMANN: Introduction & Allegro appassionato, Geistervariationen; Introduction & Concert-Allegro; Six Etudes in Canonic Form - Tzimon Barto, Christoph Eschenbach, NDR Sinfonieorchester

Robert Schumann
Introduction & Allegro appassionato
Geistervariationen for piano solo
Introduction & Concert-Allegro
Six Etudes in Canonic Form (arr. Debussy)

Tzimon Barto, piano
NDR Sinfonieorchester
Christoph Eschenbach, piano
Christoph Eschenbach, conductor

Marking the 200th anniversary of Robert Schumann in 2010, this CD contains a unique coupling of the great German Romantic composer's late piano works.

This recording also pays tribute to Christoph Eschenbach who celebrates his own 70th birthday on February 20, 2010. He is featured here both as pianist and as conductor, together with his long-time musical protégé and close friend, pianist Tzimon Barto. Together, they perform a "piano concerto arrangement" of three Schumann works: Eschenbach has coupled the concertante rarities Op. 92 and Op. 134 on the model of a three-movement piano concerto, in which the "Geistervariationen" for piano solo take the function of a slow middle movement. As an encore to this program, Christoph Eschenbach and Tzimon Barto recorded the arrangement for two pianos by Claude Debussy of Six Etudes in Canonic Form, originally written by Schumann for pedal piano (or organ).

In the two Concert Pieces, Christoph Eschenbach conducts the renowned NDR Sinfonieorchester, which he led as Chief Conductor from 1998-2004.

Robert Schumann (1810-1856)
1Introduction and Allegro appassionato (Concertstück in G major for piano and orchestra), Op. 92 (1849)18:00

Variations on an Original Theme in E-flat major for piano solo, WoO 24 ("Geistervariationen")17:09
2Thema: Moderato2:25

3Variation I2:08

4Variation II: In canon form2:21

5Variation III: Poco più mosso2:41

6Variation IV2:42

7Variation V4:54


8Introduction and Concert-Allegro in D minor for piano and orchestra, Op. 134 (1853)17:08

Six Etudes in Canonic Form, Op. 56 (1845) for pedal piano or organ (arr. for two pianos by Claude Debussy, 1891)21:17
9I. Pas trop vite2:58

10II. Avec beaucoup d'expression5:40

11III. Andantino3:00

12IV. Espressivo3:53

13V. Pas trop vite1:52

14VI. Adagio3:54