This remarkable disc sets a new standard for virtuoso horn playing. William Purvis's transcriptions of Robert and Clara Schumann's works prove to be both astonishing instrumental achievements as well as musically insightful readings of these minor masterpieces. Robert Schumann's writing for the horn always sounds completely natural, from the horn calls of the "Rhenish" Symphony to the virtuosic flexibility of his "Adagio and Allegro", heard here in a superb reading. With this in mind, as well as Schumann's forward-looking view of horn technique, Purvis has fearlessly taken on the challenge of playing this repertoire with very few adjustments to the original texts. William Purvis pursues a multifaceted career both in the U.S. and abroad as French horn soloist, chamber musician, conductor and educator. A faculty member of the Juilliard School, Yale University, and SUNY Stony Brook, Purvis is much admired for his passionate advocacy of new music. In recent years he has performed premieres of concerti by Lieberson, Ligeti, and Northcott, as well as new chamber works by Ruders, Lansky, Carter, Stucky and Reynolds. Later this year his recording of Peter Lieberson's "Horn Concerto" will be released on Bridge Records. Mr. Purvis's recording of the Brahms and Ligeti "Horn Trios" can be heard on BRIDGE 9012. Mihae Lee, wife of Mr. Purvis, has appeared as soloist with Das Symphonie Berlin, the Warsaw Philharmonic, and in concert halls throughout the USA, Europe and Asia. Born in Korea, Ms. Lee made her professional debut at the age of fourteen with the Korean National Orchestra after becoming the youngest grand prizewinner at the National Competition held by the President of Korea. Ms. Lee can be heard on recordings on the Etcetera, Northeastern and BCMS labels.
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Robert Schumann
Fantasiestücke, Op. 73
Fünf Stücke im Volkston, Op. 102
Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70
Drei Romanzen, Op. 94
Clara Schumann
Drei Romanzen, Op. 22
William Purvis, French horn
Mihae Lee, piano
BRIDGE 9164