Vladimir Feltsman, piano
Nimbus NI 6433 (2 CDs). Adrian Farmer, prod. and eng.
This neat collection of Schumann’s early piano music peaks at the end with the four Opus 23. In their clean-lined strength—they begin with a march—they’re as unlike Chopin’s as you could imagine, and Feltsman projects even the scampering second and rippling third with full-bodied tone. The mood changes abruptly for the calm, ruminative fourth piece; its chorale passage is quietly confident.
