Emil von Sauer - Piano Sonata No. 2; Serenatas (Oleg Marshev)

Information

Composer: Emil von Sauer

1. Courante und Trio in D major
2. Gavotte et Musette in F flat minor
3. Le Luth (2éme sérénade) in E flat minor
4. Sérénade francaise in G major
5. Barcarolle in F major
6. Scherzo pastoral in D major
7. Serenata veneziana in A major
8. Sempre scherzando in C major
9. Piano Sonata No. 2 in E flat major: I. Allegro moderato
10. Piano Sonata No. 2 in E flat major: II. Nocturno. Lento
11. Piano Sonata No. 2 in E flat major: III. Scherzo. Molto vivace
12. Piano Sonata No. 2 in E flat major: IV. Rondo. Allegro

Oleg Marshev, piano
Date: 1999
Label: Danacord
http://www.danacord.dk/frmsets/records/534-r.html

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Review

PERFORMANCE: ***** / SOUND: *****

Oleg Marshev has recorded four CDs of Emil von Sauer’s piano music and listening to them is certainly an interesting experience. First, Sauer, a virtuoso pianist who studied with Nicolai Rubinstein and briefly with Liszt, has a legendary status in pianistic circles. He composed a considerable quantity of music which was published between 1895 and 1930, including two sonatas, two concertos, two suites, 29 concert etudes and a large assortment of salon works, which are bound to hold some interest for specialists. Next, Marshev is a truly marvellous pianist. His tone is luminous and full, without a hint of heaviness; he plays the Serenades on this disc with a beautiful sense of rhapsodic freedom; and he presents all the music with lightness, vigour, wit, grace, tenderness and effortless virtuosity. To hear the best moments of this CD, try the delicate Gavotte et musette, the Serenata veneziana — gloriously phrased by Marshev — and the Second Sonata’s slow movement, punctuated with gentle treble arabesques as if by a nocturnal bird. But unfortunately, there is not much music beyond these that is memorable for its own merits rather than its performance. These piano pieces seem doomed to remain curious: entiching for piano enthusiasts and seekers of rare repertoire, but probably few others. [April 2001]

-- Jessica Duchen, BBC Music Magazine

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2001/Dec01/Sauer_Piano_Works.htm

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Emil von Sauer (October 8, 1862 – April 27, 1942) was a notable German composer, pianist, score editor, and music (piano) teacher. He studied with Nikolai Rubinstein at the Moscow Conservatory between 1879 and 1881. He was also a pupil of Franz Liszt and one of the most distinguished pianists of his generation. Sauer was considered as emphasizing the original Liszt approach to pianism.  Along with editing the complete piano works of Johannes Brahms, Sauer wrote piano concertos, piano sonatas, concert études, piano pieces and lieder.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emil_von_Sauer

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Oleg Marshev (born 1961 in Baku, Azerbaijan) is a Soviet and Russian pianist. He studied at the Moscow Conservatory with Mikhail Voskresensky. Now he is a resident of Italy. He has recorded over 30 CDs for Danacord label,  featuring works by Schubert, Brahms, Strauss, Rubinstein, Rachmaninov and others. He has made the world premier recording of Emil von Sauer’s piano music in 6 volumes. Another result of the artist’s abiding interest in little-known or forgotten music is a recording of Danish romantic piano concertos in 4 CDs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oleg_Marshev
http://olegmarshev.com/

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