Fantasie in C major, Op. 17

Robert Schumann

Op. 17

Martha Argerich

1976

Gil's top choice. 'Just wonderful.' 'Impassioned and dramatic, but then also really poetically beautiful. She really brings these wonderful colors to the softer movements and really beautifully recorded.' A 'wonderful way to get to know the fantasy.'

Apple Music — Fantasie on an album with Fantasiestücke, Op. 12. Label: Sony

Maurizio Pollini

1973

A 'famous recording.' 'Really powerful and dynamic. Wide dynamic range, strong tones, beautiful nuance as well. Very structurally sound in excellent sound quality.'

Apple Music — Schumann’s Fantasie on an album with Schubert’s Wanderer Fantasy.

Sviatoslav Richter

1961

A 'really strong version.' 'Virtuosic and poetic, but also fairly controlled,' so 'the varying moods of the work really tie together and make sense.'

Clifford Curzon

1954

Curzon brings 'concentration, that intellect,' and is 'also powerful and intense, very probing,' with 'beautiful sensitivity' in the 'very poetic' final movement. 'Fairly good mono sound.'

Benno Moiseiwitsch

1953

From a 'consummate romantic pianist.' Shows 'wonderful bravura, power, beautiful soft tones,' and 'wonderful color.' 'Always with Moiseiwitsch this feeling of spontaneity.' The sound is 'a little bit clangy' and 'not ideal.'