Richard Burnett - The Romantic Fortepiano

01. Johann Nepomuk Hummel: Ten Variations on a theme from Gluck's 'Armida' [14'00]
02. Frederic Chopin: Andante Spianato, from op.22 'Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante [4'43]
03. Franz Schubert: Landler, D.145 nos. 2, 3, 4 & 5 - Ecossaisen, D.421 no.1 & no.2, D.145 nos.1, 2 & 3 - Letzte Waltzer, D.146 no.20 & no.1 [8'43]
04. Robert Schumann: Kinderszenen, op.15 [16'50]
05. Carl Czerny: Five Variations on a theme of Rode, op.33 'La Ricordanza' [12'03]

Richard Burnett - Conrad Graf Opus 988 fortepiano (1826)

SKCD-L-0069 [licensed from Saydisc/Amon Ra CD-SAR007] - (recorded January & February 1982; original LP release 1982; this CD release 1988)

(flac and scans)

Recording venue - Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent
Recording engineer and producer: David Wilkins and Gef Lucena

Here, international concert pianist and historic keyboard collector Richard Burnett, owner of Finchcocks and its historic instrument collection, explores the beauty and expressive possibilities of a Viennese fortepiano made by Conrad Graf and dated 1826.

A visit to Finchcocks for one of Burnett's informal concerts demonstrating the possibilities of his various keyboard instruments was always a wonderful experience and one I enjoyed a number of times when I lived in East Sussex. Watching him handle the often four foot pedals and knee-operated percussion was quite something. Burnett uses the cembalo pedal of this instrument to excellent effect in one of the Schubert Dances and also in Kinderszenen where it is perhaps rather less effective. But the bright and silvery treble, warm and clear middle and firm bass are well captured in this recording.

This recording was licensed (as were many from BIS and Unicorn) to the Korean SKC electronics company for CD issue in Eastern Asia. And this post has sadly become rather timely with the recent closure of Finchcocks and the announcement that all of the prized instruments are to be auctioned off later this year.

Appendix:
This zip file contains a PDF of the Korean CD booklet (in English and Korean) but you can also obtain the original Saydisc booket from the Chandos Records website: www.chandos.net/pdf/SAR%20007.pdf