Guiomar Novaes - Schumann - Piano Concerto, Carnaval, Kinderszenen, Papillons, Symphonic Etudes, Fantasiastücke (2009)

I’ve had this Robert Schumann compilation from Brazilian pianist Guiomar Novaes for a half year now and keep coming back to it, always with the pleasure. Novaes presents balanced interpretations of some famous Schuman compositions; there’s nothing adventurous or idiosyncratic about her approach but they are musical and very winning.
Probably my two favorites performances are of the Papillons waltzes, Schumann’s Op. 2, and the big and beautiful Symphonic Variations. Novaes’ Papillons are charming and light without being lightweight. A heavier composition, the Symphonic Variations elicit an emotional reading from Novaes. You can feel the love for the music flowing through her fingers and the keyboard. The passion in the 3rd Variation (1, track 52) is matched by that of the faster moving 8th variation (track 58). But Novaes at other times can underplay the material, as she so often does in this set: the slow 9th Variation has elicited some very intense and almost precious interpretations but Novaes instead plays it at an almost moderate tempo, but with a high level of musicianship and obvious sincerity of expression.
The notable Papillons and Symphonic Etudes are almost matched by some enjoyable, successful versions of major Schumann works like Kinderszenen, Carnaval and the Op. 12 Fantasiestucke. Capping the set is the A-minor Piano Concerto done with famed maestro Otto Klemperer and the Vienna Symphony. The Concerto is true to Novaes’ musical personality: straightforward but fully enjoyable.
This compilation was pulled from a series of performances Novaes committed to disc in the 1950s. They sound very good for that time period, with some hiss but full and detailed piano sound, but potential buyers should be aware that this is a historical recording, not a modern one. Born in 1895, Novaes was in her fifties and early sixties when she recorded these tracks, so it represents the culmination of a very fine pianist’s career and thoughts about a composer. Novaes is best known for her set of Chopin Nocturnes done later in the 1950s but I also want to point to a very intense and worthwhile rendition of the Beethoven Op. 111 Piano Sonata she recorded in the 1960s for Turnabout.