Volodos Unites Schubert & Schumann with Magic Touch

Pianist Arcadi Volodos, celebrated for his infrequent yet impactful album releases, presents a captivating new recording. This album uniquely bridges the distinct musical worlds of Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann, featuring Schubert's Piano Sonata in D major, D850, alongside Schumann's beloved Kinderszenen.

Volodos approaches Schubert's sonata with a remarkable flexibility and a dash of fantasy, deviating from more headstrong interpretations. His rendition of the Allegro vivace movement is characterized by supple rubato and subtle dynamic nuances. The slow movement exudes a serene benevolence, while the scherzo offers a playful, even mischievous, energy.

In Schumann's Kinderszenen, Volodos imbues the music with a profound sense of adult nostalgia. He renders the more buoyant passages with robust warmth, contrasting them with gentler movements pared down to a whisper. His performance of "Von fremden Ländern und Menschen" is marked by relaxed elegance, "Hasche-Mann" by crystalline technique, and "Träumerei" by a weightless refinement.

The album concludes with "Der Dichter spricht," which Volodos delivers with a wistful quality, allowing the music to dissolve into delicate ether. This recording highlights Volodos's ability to find common threads between seemingly disparate works, creating a cohesive and emotionally resonant listening experience.