A great program from a great pianist. Every piece is worthy of many listenings
Schliessmann writes, "I feel how each listener in the audience is listening to me, and I feel its warmness, for example, and I give it back to the complete audience. I feel the intensity of hearing, of listening. This is like electricity, and this I give back to the audience." Schliessmann gives his audience here a generous program of pieces that are very close to him. This recording was made on April 3-5, 2023 at the Fazioli Concert Hall in Sacile, Italy. Besides these incredible performances we are able to enjoy this program in state-of-the-art Dolby Atmos high-definition audio. The hybrid multichannel SACD is presented as a beautiful two-CD boxed set with a 60-page booklet, but is currently having some minor production problems and should be back in stock soon. In the meantime, I was able to enjoy the program via a download.
There is also a download of the booklet. Schliessmann provides an extensive and well-written booklet essay (about 20 pages each in English, German, and French). It gives the listener a good insight into the tremendous musical mind at work here. Divine Art's production values have been quite impressive in recent years, and never more so than on the Schliessmann releases that have come my way. From the very high-definition audio to the mixing and balance to the booklet design, pictures, and texts, I cannot believe any artist could ever hope for anything more than this label regularly delivers.
Special mention should be made of the various brilliant movements and sections, whether in Bach, Mendelssohn, or Schumann. Schliessmann never loses track of the melodies, and they are always shaped and given sensitive dynamic shading. While these are characteristics we expect in the slower movements, it is a revelation when they are applied to technically demanding, brilliant movements. I cite a few examples here: Bach's Capriccio in the Partita and third movement in the Italian Concerto, Mendelssohn's Variations Nos. 16 and 17, and the second movement of Schumann's Fantasie. A number of young pianists seem to take these movements as fast as possible, probably to show off their technical skills. Not Schliessmann, for he has no technical limitations, but finds and brings out the melodies here and keeps the level of excitement and virtuosity present without being overpowering to the music.
Part of the reason I have enjoyed listening to this exceptional program many times is Schliessmann's playing at any tempo is always rhythmically alive. Bach's Fantasia is full of virtuosic, quick passages that move into some slower chordal sections. There is always a forward rhythmic movement, even when Schliessmann is slowing down for a contrasting section. The slow movement of the Italian Concerto can be uninteresting if taken too slowly, with little sense of the flow of the melody. With Bach's ornamentation in the second half, this presents more rhythmic challenges. I have never heard a better performance of this movement than Schliessmann's on this disc: It is perfect. The long build-up to the climax of the third movement of Schumann's Fantasie, a glorious outpouring of Schumann's love for Clara, is another place where the rhythm must move the piece forward. This performance makes that inevitable moment eagerly anticipated and eminently satisfying as well.
The Bach pieces are a part of Schliessmann's repertoire that he recorded and released before (Divine Art SACD 25751; see the feature article in Fanfare 38:4, Mar/Apr 2015). These fully exploit the resources of the modern grand piano. As the pianist points out, if you are going to play Bach on the piano, use everything it is capable of. His ornamentation is always tasteful and appropriate. He also points out that the current performances are just the most recent in a line of performances going back to his youth. His artistry has matured over all these years, and the performances here are revelatory. Given that his forthcoming Schumann disc was recorded after this one, I anticipate more great and fascinating performances from Schliessmann in the near future.
It is impossible to find words to give this recording a higher recommendation. It has already earned a spot on my Want List for the current year, and I'll continue to listen to it regularly. 5*
