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 Berg, Ravel, Schumann: Piano Recital / Catalina Butcaru
Release Date: 08/12/2008 
Label:  Diversions   Catalog #: 24127   Spars Code: n/a 
Composer:  Alban BergRobert SchumannMaurice Ravel
Performer:  Catalina Butcaru

Number of Discs: 1 
Recorded in: Stereo 
Length: 1 Hours 9 Mins. 

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Notes & Editorial Reviews  |  Works On This Recording  |  Customer Reviews
 Notes & Reviews Back to Top 
How about we turn our sights to a new, young pianist that has the young Carla Bruni look down pat? An engaging piano player from Romania, Butcaru steps up with a stellar solo work-out on some daunting pieces. The Berg sonata almost sounds like something he hadn’t finished composing but Butcaru brings an energy to it that makes it sound difficult to bring off. Her feel for Ravel and Schumann are right in the pocket and this nakedly alone work gives her ample chance to really strut her stuff and leave a first class impression. These are clearly ten new fingers to keep a close watch on.

-- Chris Spector, Mid West Record

Maybe one has the impression that Schumann, Ravel and Berg are not the best of bedfellows, but this disc certainly proves otherwise. True, the musical timbre of each composer has its own unique individuality, but somehow their spiritual affinity is very similar.

Berg's Op. 1 and Ravel's "Miroirs" are contemporary pieces, but while the former reveals the 12-note path Berg was to undertake, "Miroirs" is a prime example of Ravel's avid attachment to impressionism.

Schumann's "Humoresque" is one of the composer's most colourful and romantic pieces, and its freshness has remained undimmed despite its 170th year of existence. The Rumanian pianist, Catalina Butcaru is fast making a name as one of the most enterprising and talented musicians around and these interpretations vouch for her considerable ability and sense of natural expressiveness. The issue is also very well served as regards historical and technical information with very detailed annotations. This is a well balanced programme sensitively presented and superbly executed.

-- Gerald Fenech, ClassicalNet

 Works on This Recording Back to Top 
1.  Sonata for Piano, Op. 1 by Alban Berg
Performer:  Catalina Butcaru (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: ?1907-08; Austria 
Length: 11 Minutes 26 Secs. 
2.  Humoreske for Piano in B flat major, Op. 20 by Robert Schumann
Performer:  Catalina Butcaru (Piano)
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1838; Germany 
Length: 26 Minutes 8 Secs. 
3.  Miroirs: Noctuelles by Maurice Ravel
Performer:  Catalina Butcaru (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904-1905; France 
Length: 5 Minutes 26 Secs. 
4.  Miroirs: Oiseaux tristes by Maurice Ravel
Performer:  Catalina Butcaru (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904-1905; France 
Length: 4 Minutes 11 Secs. 
5.  Miroirs: Une barque sur l'océan by Maurice Ravel
Performer:  Catalina Butcaru (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904-1905; France 
Length: 7 Minutes 56 Secs. 
6.  Miroirs: Alborada del gracioso by Maurice Ravel
Performer:  Catalina Butcaru (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904-1905; France 
Length: 6 Minutes 55 Secs. 
7.  Miroirs: La vallée des cloches by Maurice Ravel
Performer:  Catalina Butcaru (Piano)
Period: 20th Century 
Written: 1904-1905; France 
Length: 5 Minutes 47 Secs. 
 Customer Reviews Back to Top 
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