Schumann: Fantasie in C, (Andsnes)

00:00 – Durchaus phantastisch und liedenschaftlich vorzutragen 12:21 – Massig. Durchaus energisch 19:10 – Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten An almost cathartically intense performance of Schumann’s most important large-scale piano work, and one of the most important in the entire period. The Fantasy is remarkable for many reasons – the bedazzling variety of its textures, its addictive quirkiness (Schumann probably had the most acute sense of the fantastic among all the Romantic composers), its expressive power (especially in the uplifting final movement). But one feature not often noticed is the structural complexity of the first movement, which represents Schumann’s most successful engagement with sonata form. The biggest mystery of the first movement is the notorious Im Legendenton [04:43], which though beautiful seems to constitute a massive disruption of the development section [which begins at 03:09], apparently unconnected as it is to the rest of the movement.