Thread: Chopin's Piano Works vs Schumann's Piano Works

I listened to Kreisleriana by Horowitz some time ago and it did absolutely nothing for me. I have no idea what that music is about. Guess I'm going to try again.

I do like some other Schumann pieces, especially Faschingsschwank aus Wien.

Originally Posted by Art Rock

Chopin by far. Probably my favourite piano composer, ahead of the likes of Schubert, Bach, Ravel, and Debussy.

Bach wasn't a piano composer! :P

Though his music does sound nice on piano, I way prefer Bach on harpsichord X3 it really adds to the drama of his keyboard works for me. I think Couperin is one who actually gets way better when you transition him to piano.

Ligeti wrote the best piano music of all time.

I'm not surprised to see lots of folks here unfamiliar with Schumann's piano works. He's never really been that popular compared to Chopin.

I'm starting to see a lot professional pianists switch out from Chopin to more neglected piano composers like Schubert and Schumann. I guess the classical community just wants to hear something new. I'm sure many of you have huge Chopin collections, but lack in Schubert/Schumann.

Originally Posted by Vesteralen

Chopin is definitely more smooth and polished, but Schumann's music resounds with me on a much more personal level. Something about my personality just doesn't relate to Chopin on an emotional level. I like the sound of Chopin, but I can't feel the music very well.

My experience, oddly, is completely the opposite of what has been expressed above - the most immediate and emotionally connecting work of Chopin I've heard is the First Piano Concerto (not the Second). In the solo music, though, I've never felt a thing. It's too glossy for me. Schumann's solo piano music reaches me on a very personal level. The first and second sonatas, the fantasy (Op 17), and the Kreisleriana (as prime examples) are intensely moving pieces of music for me.

My thoughts exactly.

Originally Posted by pasido

I'm not surprised to see lots of folks here unfamiliar with Schumann's piano works. He's never really been that popular compared to Chopin.

I'm starting to see a lot professional pianists switch out from Chopin to more neglected piano composers like Schubert and Schumann. I guess the classical community just wants to hear something new. I'm sure many of you have huge Chopin collections, but lack in Schubert/Schumann.

I don't know, I've heard a fair number of people discuss Schumann piano works here and elsewhere. Certainly not AS much as Chopin, but considering the piano was his life's instrument, not super surprising. My Schumann collection outnumbers my Chopin by about four albums I believe.

I haven't heard many Schumann piano pieces but I'm sure that I would prefer Chopin. I'm still waiting to listen to piano compositions that I enjoy more than those of Chopin. The only Chopin pieces that I feel indifferent about are his preludes. Other than the preludes I have thoroughly enjoyed all other pieces in his collection.

Chopin specialized in Piano. So I'll choose him based on that. I've heard that Schumann is hard to get into.

We need a Ligeti vs. God thread for CoAG.

Originally Posted by neoshredder

We need a Ligeti vs. God thread for CoAG.

No because they are the same thing.

Aramis hasn't been seen on the forum in months, but it says he voted in this poll. The guy really likes Chopin.

Probably Schumann - even though, overall, I am much more familiar with Chopin's piano output.

Interesting that a few have picked Chopin without even knowing, let alone having comprehended, much of Schumann's piano music.

I vote Schumann. I like many of his piano pieces especially his Papillons.
Chopin... I'm not really the Chopin type. Most of his works make me terribly sleepy...