The admired Schumann authority, Jean-Pierre Armengaud, presents this second volume of Clara Schumann’s solo piano music, which focuses on the transcriptions she made of works by her husband, Robert. Clara evokes orchestral density in the overture to Robert Schumann’s only opera Genoveva, and also in the complex Bach-inspired Studies for Pedal Piano. Above all, the song transcriptions see her engaged in acts of complex creative union while also revealing the independence of her musical vision. Volume 1 in this series is on GP930.

Jean-Pierre Armengaud is considered a leading interpreter of French music and a specialist in impressionist and expressionist repertoire, and is renowned for his ‘fluidly supple playing, his round and mellow tone’ (Classica). He has recorded several complete collections, of piano music by Debussy, Satie, Roussel, Poulenc, Dutilleux and Denisov. Armengaud has appeared in major concert halls around the world, performing in over 40 countries. His albums for Naxos and Grand Piano feature music by Debussy, Roussel, Poulenc, Aubert, d’Indy and others, and he has a particular interest in Henri Dutilleux. He has been director for musical programming at Radio France and is associate professor at the Paris-Sorbonne University and professor emeritus at the University of Évry Val d’Essonne at Paris-Saclay University.

‘The works here are predominantly lyrical and Armengaud is clearly in love with the project and the music. …a perfectly agreeable and enjoyable recital as a whole and there is a lot of good playing…’ – MusicWeb International (Vol.1, GP930)

‘These are persuasive performances, warmly recorded in Armengaud’s home studio in Paris, and this disc serves as an excellent introduction to an underrated talent.’ – The Arts Desk (Vol.1, GP930)