“Jimin Oh-Havenith plays Robert Schumann’s first piano sonata F-Sharp minor Op. 11 as if it were a single great fantasy. With her interpretation she especially highlights the various emotions which Schumann let flow into his music. The performer looks deeply into this music. She is not satisfied with superficialities. This is true for example for the finale of the sonata: no hasty tempo, no superimposed brilliance and virtuosity. Instead an organic growing and weaving.

Robert Schumann nearly called his Fantasy C major op. 17 “sonata” as well. But then he obviously realized that this term was too deeply rooted in the classical tradition. It does not surprise that pianist Jimin Oh-Havenith also fashions Schumann’s Fantasy very freely. In this work, too, she allows herself much time, essentially savours every note, every little phrase musically and tests it for its emotional content.

Jimin Oh-Havenith has looked deeply into Robert Schumann’s soul. And with her interpretation she has perhaps, in a magical way, reconciled Schumann’s two alter egos – Florestan and Eusebius – without these two so very different characters fully amalgamating. I am full of anticipation for the planned further CDs with Schumann’s piano works.”

(Jan Ritterstaedt | Schumann Journal 11/2023, March 2024)