Carl Friedberg (1872-1955): Schumann - Kinderszenen op.15 (nos 1-9)

Of the few of them who who made recordings, Friedberg was probably the most accomplished pupil of the great 19th century piano-pedagogue Clara Schumann.

Clara Schumann (1819-1896), along with Liszt and Leschetizky, made up the three most influential piano teachers of the century. Her own concert career began in the 1830s. She was esteemed by Chopin, Paganini, Liszt, Brahms, Schumann and ciritcs in general (though she strongly disliked the music of the "progressive" composers Liszt, Wagner and Bruckner). Like Liszt, she revolutionised the nature of the piano recital. Her own tastes were strict and conventional, preferring "serious" music and sobriety of interpretation, singing cantabile tone, control and disallowance of "mannerisms". These qualities seem to have been impressed upon her pupils too.

Friedberg also worked closely on some works with Brahms, a lifelong deep friend of Clara Schuman. Most of his career was spent in the USA in a teaching capacity, and he produced a large number of notable pupils. He made a number of recordings, and his Brahms and Schumann performances are particularly important (not least as he chose to specialise in the works of Schumann, and was taught by the composer's own wife).

This recording of Schuman's Kinderszenen was made in 1953.