Schumann Taewook Ahn & Tomoyo Umemura

• Robert Schumann (1810 - 1856): Adagio und Allegro As-Dur, Op. 70:
• 1 Schumann: Adagio und Allegro As-Dur, Op. 70: I. Langsam, mit innigem Ausdruck 03:12
• 2 Schumann: Adagio und Allegro As-Dur, Op. 70: II. Rasch und feurig 04:38
• Fantasiestücke, Op. 73:
• 3 Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: I. Zart und mit Ausdruck 03:04
• 4 Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: II. Lebhaft, leicht 03:03
• 5 Schumann: Fantasiestücke, Op. 73: III. Rasch und mit Feuer 03:57
• Drei Romanzen, Op. 94:
• 6 Schumann: Drei Romanzen, Op. 94: I. Nicht schnell 03:21
• 7 Schumann: Drei Romanzen, Op. 94: II. Einfach, innig 03:44
• 8 Schumann: Drei Romanzen, Op. 94: III. Nicht schnell 04:06
• Sechs Studien in kanonischer Form, Op. 56:
• 9 Sechs Studien in kanonischer Form, Op. 56: I. Nicht zu schnell 02:01
• 10 Sechs Studien in kanonischer Form, Op. 56: II. Mit innigem Ausdruck 03:56
• 11 Sechs Studien in kanonischer Form, Op. 56: III. Andantino 01:32
• 12 Sechs Studien in kanonischer Form, Op. 56: IV. Innig 03:00
• 13 Sechs Studien in kanonischer Form, Op. 56: V. Nicht zu schnell 02:14
• 14 Sechs Studien in kanonischer Form, Op. 56: VI. Adagio 03:13
• Total Runtime 45:01

Info for Schumann

Taewook Ahn or the saxophone as embodiment of romantic aesthetics.

The sound of the saxophone is not commonly associated with romantic classical music. One could even think of Schumann's music as an awkward choice for the instrument; Taewook Ahn proves the opposite to be true, right from the first note of this album. What better vessel than the saxophone, indeed, could embody the intrinsical contradictions of romantic aesthetics? What could encapsulate the soul of the 19th century better than this elegant hybrid of wood and brass? More than a mere list of transcriptions, this album provides a rediscovery of some of the most iconic pages in romantic literature. Tomoyo Umemura, Taewook Ahn and Rainer Crosett bring unheard colors into some of Schumann's most intimate works, exposing the very fabric of its texture – with sensuality, playfulness and taste. A young, convincing, resolutely modern take on beautiful classics.

Taewook Ahn, saxophone
Tomoyo Umemura, piano
Rainer Crosett, cello

Taewook Ahns
Taewook's repertoire offers a wide range of musical styles, from baroque, to classic and romantic works, all the way to contemporary music. ​

Born in Osaka (Japan), Taewook graduated from Soai University in Osaka with a Bachelor’s degree in Saxophone with Prof. Masahiro Maeda and Suwako Iwata. At this time, he joined the Mi-Bemol Saxophone Ensemble, participating in recordings and concerts all over Japan.

In 2012, Taewook decided to continue his studies in Europe and moved to France to develop his musicality and technique. At first, he studied with Prof. Nicolas Prost at the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Saint-Maur and later with Prof. Sylvain Malezieux.

He then moved to Lyon to study with Prof. Jean-Denis Michat at the Conservatoire à rayonnement régional de Lyon, graduating with a diploma (DEM) with mention "très bien". Whilst in Lyon, Taewook was part of the ensemble L’artisanat furieux, which performed a number of concerts in Lyon and in 2013 went on tour to Algeria.

He went on to Brussels, where he completed his Master’s degree at the Conservatoire royal de Bruxelles with Prof. Alain Crepin and Simon Diricq, during which time he also participated at the 17th World Saxophone Congress in Strasbourg. As part of the Erasmus Programme, Taewook moved to Vienna to join the class of Prof. Lars Mlekusch at the Musik und Kunst Privatuniversität der Stadt Wien. There, he took part in the Vienna Saxfest 2016, performing at the Musikverein, the Konzerthaus and the Belvedere Museum.

It was at this time, when his interest in chamber music intensified and he decided to continue his postgraduate studies at Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien (mdw), with teachers of musical instruments other than the saxophone, namely Prof. Gottfried Pokorny (bassoonist at Tonkünstler Orchester) and Prof. Avo Kouyoumidjian (pianist). Taewook has been the first ever saxophonist to be accepted at mdw’s chamber music class.

This album contains no booklet.