Carnaval, Op. 9

Robert Schumann

Op. 9

Claudio Arrau /

1966

Gil's top choice. 'One quintessential romantic interpreting another.' Shows Arrau in 'wonderful form, very powerful, beautiful tones, flexibility, imagination.' 'You can't go wrong. Excellent sound as well.'

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli /

1957 Live in London

A 'wonderfully imaginative and creative and captivating' live recording from an 'incredible virtuoso.' The sound is 'fairly good, fairly clear.'

Arthur Rubinstein /

1953

'One of the iconic Carnaval recordings.' Brings 'exuberance and personality and charm,' plus 'the virtuosic chops.' 'Really good mono' sound.

Solomon /

1952

A 'creative and wonderful interpretation' that shows Solomon's 'mixture of imagination, creativity, and just wonderful pianistic chops.' Mono sound, but 'fairly well recorded.'

Alfred Cortot /

1928

A 'very natural Schumann interpreter' with a 'romantic soul.' Recommended for its 'character and creativity' and 'creative insights,' despite the 'fairly dim sound.'

Sergei Rachmaninoff /

1938

An 'iconic recording' and 'a tour de force.' 'Incredible virtuosity' (some parts sound 'like it's coming out of a computer'), 'huge sonorities,' and 'wonderful panache.' Sound is 'a little bit noisy with the hiss.'