Harold Bauer plays Schumann Fantasiestücke Op.12 (1935)

Available on APR's exceptional 3-CD set: http://www.aprrecordings.co.uk/apr2/s...

Harold Bauer's 1935 recording of Schumann's Fantasiestücke Op.12, which is the first of the work (the second would be Arthur Rubinstein's 1949 account).

While Bauer had made his earlier recordings for Victor in the US, in this case he set down this reading at their sister company EMI's Abbey Road Studios on their Steinway piano. The pianist was evidently in good form at the session, as 5 of the 8 sides required only a single take, the remaining 3 receiving no more than a second attempt.

Throughout the suite, we hear Bauer's sumptuous singing sonority, fluidly phrased legato line, purity of tone at all dynamic levels, and balance of primary and secondary voices.

More about Harold Bauer in this feature article on my website: https://www.thepianofiles.com/harold-...

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