Irina Mejoueva - Schumann Symphonic Etudes + Beethoven Piano Sonata No.31 - Japan CD

Credits:

Irina Mejoueva

Description:

To the infinite depths -- A spirited female pianist takes on the masterpieces of the German early Romanticism! Russian pianist Irina Medjieva, who has been steadily active in her home country of Japan, has made a new recording for the Wakabayashi Studio. In this album, Medjieva focuses on German music of the Classical and Early Romantic periods, which has been a particular focus of hers in recent years. The "Symphonic Exercises" by Schumann, with a playing time of over 38 minutes, is a brilliant performance that combines a huge sense of scale with delicate and graceful expression, and the inclusion of four of the five posthumous variations in a unique arrangement is also noteworthy. Beethoven's Sonata No. 31 is one of his favorite works, which he has performed in concert many times and recorded for Columbia in 1998. The clarity and depth of expression in the final movement, "Lamentations," and the fugue are vividly stamped with traces of the performer's deepening of his skills. The two works on this album were both composed while the composer was recovering from a mental breakdown.The scheme of "from anguish (darkness) to joy (light)," characteristic of Beethoven in his later years, can also be heard in the works of Schumann, who aspired to be Beethoven's successor. Medjieva's performance is truly beautiful at twilight, when the darkness gives way to light. In the twilight, one longs for the faraway light, dreams, and holds hope in secret. In her performance, one can feel a deep and warm empathy for these feelings. This kind of performance is what I call 'romantic. ..." (from Masatoshi Kameda's liner notes)