<<  -- 3 --  Jennifer Paull    CLARA'S KARMA?

Kushner's texturing and articulation in nuance and style weave a masterly performance. This solo CD is published by Palatine Records (PL 9-0503, distributed by Eroica Classical Recordings). It is a must for lovers of the great 19th century tradition of Romantic piano repertoire.

Those further interested in the impetuosity of heavenly Florestan, the rationalism of celestial Raro, and the dreams of divine Eusebius' possible settling of scores (musical and non) from beyond the grave, will be delighted to learn that Clara's Prelude and Fugue No 3 (transcribed by Angelo Manzo) has been published by The Tuba Euphonium Press.

The feminist lobby (hopefully already made buoyant by Schumann's diary jottings) will thoroughly enjoy the following comments by Michael Short, of Drake University, on a veritable mine of invaluable information, The International Tuba Euphonium Association's website:

'This I'll say about Mr Manzo -- he has been arranging music of composers with familiar surnames and unfamiliar first names. Not long ago this reviewer wrote about his arrangement of some pieces by Clara Schumann. Now, we are presented with the music of Felix Mendelssohn's sister, Fanny.'

Oh dear! One can almost palpitate the ennui. Poor Fanny! Is she doomed to be hidden for ever beneath her brother's branches [see Mendelssohn: The Bonsai Sequoia]? Musicologists are identifying more of her works (often hidden anonymously amongst his own), and unearthing her from 19th century Cloistered Purdah. Both Mendelssohn and Schumann (of the unfamiliar first names who, at that time, were not allowed to keep their own, Mr Short) are alive and well in the gentle loving care of the polished brass ITEA.

Karen Kushner was Igor Kipnis' partner in the sorely-missed Kipnis-Kushner Duo. It is almost five years since Igor left us much the poorer for his untimely departure. In this solo CD, Karen Kushner brings welcomed light to a rarely heard hidden gift of Christmas love from a once innocent and exceptionally talented girl: Robert Schumann's young bride.

For all sad words of tongue and pen, the saddest are these, 'It might have been'.
-- John Greenleaf Whittier, US poet (1807-1892)

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