Brahms Mendelssohn Beethoven

In his Neue Zeitschrift für Musik Robert Schumann complained about variation works by many of his peers that were only meant to show off brilliant style, but were poorly composed, and even wished the whole genre would ‘rest in peace’. However, there were also exceptions to the rule and one such work can be heard on the new Genuin CD—the works of Beethoven, Mendelssohn Bartholdy, and Brahms have been recorded on a single disc by pianist Christian Petersen, a recording which gives listeners a view from a mountaintop across all of the nineteenth century. Just as his subtly rendered and precise pianism is far removed from the heady speed and show effects of keyboard bravura, neither can the three great masters be accused of turning out flashy notes like a machine. What is to be heard are intimate confessions and the fruits of the search for a new tonal form and language. An inspired Christian Petersen has movingly recorded these masterpieces, works which have sprung up from our rich musical heritage.