Description
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Piano Sonata no.12 in F major, K.332 Béla Bartók 14 Bagatelles, op. 6, nos. 2-7 and 10 Claude Debussy Pour le piano Interval Thomas Adès Blanca Variations Johannes Brahms Klavierstücke, op.76, nos. 1-5 Robert Schumann Faschingsschwank aus Wien op.26 Elisabeth Brauß opens with a delightful Mozart sonata before moving on to Bartók and Debussy. Bartók didn’t know Debussy’s music until a friend returned from Paris bringing some examples. Bartók was profoundly impressed. The following year he published his 14 Bagatelles, uncluttered pieces reflecting experiments with tonality and his love for Hungarian folk melodies. Elisabeth begins the second half with Thomas Adès’ Blanca Variations, a set of variations based on a Judaeo-Spanish folk tune. She follows with Brahms’ beautiful Klavierstücke and then, as a finale, Robert Schumann’s Faschingsschwank aus Wien. Schumann can be sombre and troubled but this piece shows him at his joyful, teasing best. A perfect ending. IPS GS