J.S. Bach – Concerto in C Minor & Schumann – Andante & Variations, Opus 46: Music Minus One Piano (Music Minus One

(Music Minus One). Based on a now-lost concerto for oboe and violin, this beautiful Baroque work relies heavily on the two pianos for effect, with a lovely but subdued string accompaniment. Bach dispenses with the strings altogether in the lovely central movement, then ends with an exhilarating fugue. In short, it is a gem! The concerto’s companion-piece on this album, Robert Schumann’s Andante and Variations, is a striking and unusual piece written in chamber music style for a small ensemble. It illustrates Schumann’s daring experiments with the piano’s possibilities. A totally unique and beautiful experience, filled with beautiful instrumental textures and wonderful writing for the two pianos. Includes a high-quality printed music score and a compact disc containing a complete version of each composition with soloist (1st piano), in split-channel stereo (soloist on the right channel); then a second version in full stereo of the orchestral accompaniment, minus the soloist. Performed by Neill Eisenstein, piano Stuttgart Festival Orchestra Emil Kahn