The Schumann bicentenary is marked by pianist Alessandra Ammara with a pairing of two important collective works, Carnaval, op 9, and Davidsblündertänze, op 6, on a new recording with 24 bit/96kHz multichannel sound on a Hybrid SACD.
“You haven’t looked deeply enough into the Davidsblündertänze. I think they are completely different from Carnaval. They are like faces to the masks.” These are the words that composer Robert Schumann wrote to Clara Wieck (his future wife) in 1838, regarding the two works recorded here. Presenting Carnaval and Davidsblündertänze together is all the more fitting and stimulating because it offers the listener the chance to expore the complex world of Schumann from two different and complementary points of view. Each offers the other mutual sustenance and together represent a clear manifesto of Schumann’s art.
Alessandra Ammara has drawn the attention of the musical world from a young age, succeeding in major international piano competitions such as the "J. Iturbi" in Valencia and the "Van Cliburn" in Fort Worth. Her concert schedule is continuously growing, performing throughout Europe and America. Highlights include performances at Grosses Philharmonie in Berlin, Salle Cortot in Paris, Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and Meridian Center in Washington. She has performed as soloist with orchestras such as the Berliner Symphoniker and Wiener Symphoniker, and collaborates in chamber music with many great artists, including Alban Gerhardt, Roberto Fabbriciani and the Takacs Quartet. Since 1999 she has toured in piano duo with Roberto Prosseda.
Ammara's discography includes a recording for Canadian label Arktos of Debussy, Scriabin and Chopin and a contribution to the complete Chopin edition produced by Brilliant Classics. Since 2008 Alessandra has recorded for the German label Arts. Her first Arts CD, featuring Chopin's Four Ballades and other pieces, was released in autumn 2008, and was followed last year by the world premiere recording of Giacinto Scelsi's Preludes.
