Topic of the Month: June

Dancing Keys

In three unique series we present the complete piano works of three of the greatest names in the piano repertoire: Schubert - Schumann - Debussy. These composers are the cornerstone of the piano repertoire in the 19th and early 20th century, and subsequent generations of musicians have looked to these composers as role models in both their interpretation of form and musical language.

Through the sympathetic and insightful interpretations, our world class pianists elevate these series to become true highlights of their recorded legacy and unquestionably authoritative recordings of the piano literature.

Gerhard Oppitz has for years been in the top tier of the world's popular concert pianists. In 1977, Gerhard Oppitz received the first Prize at the Arthur Rubinstein Competition in Israel, which marked the beginning of a lifetime worldwide activity: recitals in major music centers of Europe, America and East Asia, as well as collaboration with the most prestigious orchestras and conductors. Throughout his career, Oppitz has had a particular preference for presenting large groups of works in cyclical performances, and with his recording of the Schubert sonatas, he presents another cycle on CD.

Florian Uhlig has been a featured soloist with many of the world’s most famous orchestras: the BBC Symphony Orchestra, the German Radio Philharmonic, the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the Dresden Philharmonic, the Beijing Symphony Orchestra and the Simon Bolivar Youth Orchestra of Venezuela with whom he has recorded this special recording of Krzysztof Penderecki’s powerful Piano Concerto under the direction of the composer.

Uhlig is not interested in taking the easy path to success; he is constantly exploring the less familiar piano repertoire. Instead, he has sought out the neglected works and even the oddities of the great composers. Uhlig also takes you back a step and allows you to see this music in a broader perspective - as he is now doing in his 15 CD recording of Robert Schumann's complete piano works.

Michael Korstick has earned a reputation as one of the leading German pianists and has won several big piano competitions, as well as producing numerous award-winning recordings. The critics have already praised his recordings for setting "new interpretive standards" (Stereoplay), and he has been lauded as "one of the greatest Beethoven interpreters of our time" (Fono Forum). With his current cycle of Debussy recordings, he demonstrates once again his artistic mastery, which he brings to every project with great versatility.