Other Bogányi Albums
Piano Sonata No. 29, Op.106. Hammerklavier, Bagatelle No. 25 in A minor, Für Elise (Pure DSD)
Johann Sebastian Bach (Pure DSD)
Reflections on Beauty (Pure DSD)

This is a Pure DSD 256 Stereo album. Available exclusively in its original recorded format of Pure DSD 256 Stereo, as well as Stereo DSD 512, DSD 128, and DSD 64. It is not available on SACD.

Schumann‘s compositions are above all, mystical to me. This mystical musicality is combined with an unparalleled realism, which altogether gives this unique and special musical experience. It is precisely this double effect that is the strongest and most special feature of Schumann’s music for me. I would say that both elements are present with extreme realism. For example, the C major chord of the last movement of the Fantasia in C major is for me the ‘most C major’ chord of all the C major chords, at once an extremely simple, basic C major chord, laid on in the most realistic way possible, but dizzyingly deep in terms of message and mystery. Obviously, with regard to the last chord, we hear the last note as unearthly as a result of the antecedents, yet a characteristic feature of Schumann’s masterpieces is his ability to lift the soul into the spheres with even the simplest notes. One wonders, for example, what power lies behind the C major chord mentioned above that makes it so magical and unique, even though such a simple chord has been described countless times by many others.

I sense a razor’s edge of storytelling in these works. By this I mean that, as in a story read to young children, the language is very simple, all the words are in place, no more or less words (sounds) are used, the message is very clear and lucid, yet the story is extremely exciting and its depths are engaging for the adult, so in this sense we perceive this duality accurately. This type of concentration is characteristic of Schumann’s works, which is why his art can be perceived as so individual.

Gergely Bogányi (piano)