DANIEL BARENBOIM
Encores: Personal favourites by Schubert, Schumann, Liszt, Chopin, Albéniz etc
DG 4860932
★★★★
A birthday present or a parting gift? On the eve of Daniel Barenboim’s 80th birthday, it’s a fair question, but I’m inclined towards the former. He still has so much to share, not least the maturity and wisdom of his years. Here he brings us very personal accounts of familiar works. Schubert’s Impromptu in G flat sets the scene, with its controlled and loving pace, the piece opening like a flower. Later, ‘Aufschwung’ from Schumann’s floats on a cushion of air. Likewise, Liszt’s No 3 in
