Immerse yourself in the virtuosic world of Adolf von Henselt with this captivating collection of études, recorded live in May 2004 at the Henry Wood Hall in London. This album, released by Hyperion Records, showcases Henselt's Opus 2 and Opus 5, offering a comprehensive exploration of his pianistic prowess and compositional genius.
The album opens with the 12 Études caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2, each piece a technical tour de force paired with evocative titles that hint at the expressive depth within. From the stormy "Orage, tu ne saurais m'abattre" to the tender "Dors tu, ma vie," Henselt's études are as much a journey through the human experience as they are a display of pianistic skill.
The second half of the album presents the 12 Études de salon, Op. 5, divided into two suites. These pieces, while technically demanding, are imbued with a salon-like charm, offering a contrast to the concert études. From the heroic "Eroica" to the haunting "Nächtlicher Geisterzug," each étude tells a story, painting vivid images through sound.
Henselt, a contemporary of Chopin and Liszt, was renowned for his lyrical playing and innovative teaching methods. This album, produced by Ates Orga and engineered by Ben Connellan, captures the essence of Henselt's style, offering a unique perspective on the Romantic piano repertoire. With a duration of 1 hour and 18 minutes, this album is a testament to Henselt's enduring legacy and a treat for any classical music enthusiast.
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 1 in D Minor. Orage, tu ne saurais m'abattre. Allegro molto agitatoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 2 in D-Flat Major. Pensez un peu à moi, qui pense toujours à vous. Allegro moderatoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 3 in B Minor. Exauce mes vœux. Tempo giustoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 4 in B-Flat Major. Repos d'amour. Allegretto sostenutoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 5 in C-Sharp Minor. Vie orageuse. Tempo giustoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 6 in F-Sharp Major. Si oiseau j'étais, à toi je volerais. AllegroAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 7 in D Major. C'est la jeunesse qui a des ailes dorées. Presto animosoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 8 in E-Flat Minor. Tu m'attires, m'entraînes, m'engloutis. Allegro agitato ed appassionatoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 9 in F Major. Jeunesse d'amour, plaisir céleste. AllegroAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 10 in E Minor. Comme le ruisseau dans la mer. ModeratoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 11 in E-Flat Major. Dors tu, ma vie. Allegretto sostenuto ed amorosoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes caractéristiques de concert, Op. 2: No. 12 in B-Flat Minor. Plein de soupirs, de souvenirs. Moderato ma con moto, con afflizioneAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
Poème d'amour "Andante et étude concertante in B Major", Op. 3Adolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 1: No. 1 in C Minor. Eroica. Moderato – Presto agitato ed appassionatoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 1: No. 2 in G Major. Allegro brillanteAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 1: No. 3 in A Minor. Hexentanz. Allegro con brio e feroceAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 1: No. 4 in E Major. Ave Maria. AndanteAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 1: No. 5 in F-Sharp Minor. Verlorene Heimat. Con moto appassionato e dolorosaAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 1: No. 6 in A-Flat Major. Danklied nach Sturm. Lento sostenutoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 2: No. 7 in C Major. Elfenreigen. Molto vivaceAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 2: No. 8 in G Minor. Romanze mit Chor-Refrain. Andante ariosoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 2: No. 9 in A Major. Allegro con leggerezzaAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 2: No. 10 in F Minor. Entschwundenes Glück. Allegro non troppo, con passione dolorosaAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 2: No. 11 in B Major. Liebeslied. Allegretto sostenuto ed amorosoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
12 Etudes de salon, Op. 5, Suite 2: No. 12 in G-Sharp Minor. Nächtlicher Geisterzug. Allegro tempestosoAdolf von Henselt, Piers Lane
Adolf von Henselt (1814-1889) was a virtuoso pianist and composer whose mastery of the keyboard earned him accolades such as "gewaltiger Klavierheros" and "reichbegabter Künstler." Born in Schwabach, Germany, Henselt's musical prowess led him to the courts of Russia, where he served as the imperial court pianist to the Zarenkinder, taught by the request of Zarin Alexandra Fjodorowna. His performances and compositions captivated audiences and critics alike, with Robert Schumann himself praising Henselt's musical genius. Henselt's influence extended beyond his concert tours, which he shared with contemporaries like Sigismund Thalberg and Franz Liszt, to his significant contributions as a piano pedagogue, shaping the next generation of pianists. His legacy endures, inspiring musicians and enthusiasts with his poetic compositions and virtuosic playing.
Vinylscout
Adolf von Henselt
