• The vulnerability and passion in Schumann’s music stirs an unusually intense response in some performers: almost a wish to protect as well as celebrate this troubled genius. The cellist Steven Isserlis and pianists András Schiff and Mitsuko Uchida come to mind. Now two more, cellist Gautier Capuçon and pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, have joined the fold with new all-Schumann recordings.
Capuçon is joined by the illustrious forces of conductor Bernard Haitink, pianist Martha Argerich, the Chamber Orchestra of Europe and Capuçon’s brother, the violinist Renaud Capuçon (Erato). It’s Gautier’s project (the giveaway is a booklet packed with alarming concept photos of him dressed as romantic hero). The 2015 live recording of the Cello Concerto, with Haitink and the COE at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, is packaged with live chamber recordings: the Adagio and Allegro Op 70, the Fantasiestücke Op 73 and Five Pieces in folk Style Op 102, with Argerich from her Lugano festival 2009-12. Renaud Capucon completes the trio for Fantasiestücke Op. 88: all rewarding performances.
• In Jean-Efflam Bavouzet plays Schumann (Chandos), Bavouzet has chosen the early-ish Faschingsschwank aus Wien and Grande Sonate (No 3) with the later Drei Fantasiestücke and the little known Gesänge der Frühe from the end of his life, years darkened by suicidal tendencies and time in an asylum. Ever a supremely intelligent musician, Bavouzet brings clarity, gentleness and urgency to all, with a sense of distilled struggle in the five Gesänge der Frühe (Songs at Dawn).
• Radio 3 is marking 150 years since the death of Berlioz with The Ultimate Romantic, a weekend of concerts from BBC orchestras and ensembles around the UK. Listen today, then catch up with yesterday’s, including a Music Matters devoted to Berlioz performance: heaven for Berlioz fans, or time to be converted.
