For some reason, DG has chosen to repackage
Maurizio Pollini's two most recent Schumann discs as a single two-disc set. Who can understand the ways of record companies? But whatever the motivation may be, it is good to have these performances all available in one place. While
Pollini's Schumann is not to everyone's taste -- some find his virtuoso playing too cool and his bracing interpretations too intellectual -- for those who revere
Pollini, his Schumann is a tonic after nearly two centuries of sloppy and sentimental performance practice.
Pollini's Davidsbündlertänze may not be as poetic as
Arrau's and his Kreisleriana may not be as fantastic as
Argerich's, but he finds meanings and significances in the works that no one ever has before.
Pollini's Concert sans orchestre and Allegro in B minor are second to none in technical panache and interpretive aplomb. And
Pollini's Gesäng der Frühe is deeply soulful, profoundly lyrical, and exceedingly translucent. DG's piano sound is as real as playing the piano.