Reviews (11)

Chopin: Favorite Piano Works
An excellent complilation of Chopin works which includes 3 of the pieces I am currently learning. Definitely has encouraged me to improve my piano skills and allow me to better appreciate his style of music.

Chopin: Favorite Piano Works (London 2 CD)
Beautifully done 2 CD of Chopin works.I've played it every weekend since I got it, loving every track.It's well performed and recorded, and is an excellent collection for anyone interested in Chopin or his adopted homeland of Poland.And, of course, you can't often go wrong with the London Label.

chopins Mazurkas
this is a wonderful collection of the mazurkas but Ashkenazy plays a lot of them too fast my music teacher played these with more pathos he seems like he cant get done fast enough with some of them some introductions should be slower with more feeling otherwise all the mazurkas i wanted are in this disc just wish i had gotbetter artist like Claude Arrau ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Balladefor Keyboard    2. Barcarollefor Keyboard    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Classical    5. Classical Composers    6. Classical Music    7. Etude for Keyboard    8. Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard    9. Keyboard    10. Mazurka for Keyboard    11. Nocturne for Keyboard    12. Polonaise for Keyboard    13. Prelude for Keyboard    14. Scherzo for Keyboard    15. Waltz for Keyboard   

Reviews (4)

Anna Magdalena Notebook-- a treasure trove of Baroque music
This is music for contemplating number and time and not realize you are doing that. These pieces from Anna Magdalena Bach's notebook are a significant part of the history of western culture, and the music is brilliant, lucid, and passionate. Just as, I suppose, Bach's wife was. Played on harpsichord and clavichord, the work-- not all by Bach-- seems rigourously, mysteriously modern, and the anonymous "Musette in A Major" one could even say had in it the roots of ragtime piano. Last but not least, it's quite possible that Lorraine Hunt Lieberson can never be less than sublime.

Music for Bach's Katy
Luther had his Katy who supported him and the Reformation magnificently and faithfully.Bach who was real student and follower of Luther's, had his second wife, Anna Magdalena who was so much for him and his family and music.
Charming and beautiful
This CD is a collection of music from the notebook of Bach's wife, who was a singer. It includes dances, arias and other favorite songs. Most of the pieces range from peppy little dance tunes(like Musette in A Major) to delicate baroque airs (like Prelude no.1), all played on the harpsichord, clavichord or cello. The pieces that really stand out are the arias, sung beautifully by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson in German. Most are religious, but there is one that is a nice love song "Willst du mein Herz mir schenken." The website on the back of the liner notes has the lyrics for the arias and they are worth reading. Besides the fact that this is good music, it also provides interesting insight into Bach's life and family and the liner notes have some interesting information about Anna and her notebook. This is a charming collection of music that is a great and cheap addition to any classical music collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Variations for Keyboard    2. Cantata    3. Chamber Music & Recitals    4. Choral    5. Chorale Prelude or Chorale Treatment for Keyboard    6. Classical    7. Classical Composers    8. Classical Music    9. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    10. Dance-Based Keyboard Music    11. Keyboard    12. Keyboard Music    13. March for Keyboard    14. Miscellaneous    15. Miscellaneous Music    16. Musette for Keyboard    17. Polonaise for Keyboard    18. Prelude and Fugue for Keyboard    19. Solo Voice and Continuo    20. Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble   

Editorial Review

Record-label politics prevented this awesome recording of Argentinean pianist Martha Argerich from being released for 34 years. The spitfire musician delivers a powerful set of Chopin's best-loved works that still sounds riveting today. Intense and gorgeous. Read more

Reviews (30)

A restored jewel in the Argerich catalog
If I had to pick a single CD to win awed admiration for Martha Argerich, this Chopin recital would be it. Only 24 when she made these long-suppressed recordings, Argerich's musicality and dazzling technqiue defy belief. Every ounce of praise for her Third Sonata is deserved--it's spontaneous, flexible, intense, by turns tender and declamatory.The most blessed quality is that she doesn't bang or harangue us--not always the case in later years. Her sense of urgency doesn't become eckless; the bursts of excitment aren't oerly explosive.
Not Argerich at her best, but still very impressive.
Argerich's playing is nothing short of miraculous. It's as if God's most precious gifts had been all bestowed upon her - she makes other pianists pale in comparison. This record is no exception, even though it's not Argerich at her best. At times her playing here is too straightforward, too agressive, yes, even too intimidating, and I don't know if she's really being faifhtul to Chopin's music. It sounds as if she's intent on shunning people away from playing the piano and effacing every other interpretation from the face of the earth. It just doesn't fit Chopin's music all that well, but it's still worth buying and listening to thousands of times.

Buy for the third sonata
Buy this disc for the third sonata. Its chopin's best, and she owns it so hard. Her playing of the last movement puts anyone else's to shame, playing the finale with ridiculous speed and most of all, in rhythm. I hate when i hear that ending slowed down, and softened, it sounds like garbage like that. She is unreal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Chamber Music & Recitals    2. Classical    3. Classical Artists    4. Classical Music    5. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    6. Keyboard    7. Nocturne for Keyboard    8. Polonaise for Keyboard    9. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    10. Scherzo for Keyboard   

Reviews (1)

I Love Her Work
This live concert captures Gabriela fluidly playing Chopin on piano. Perfect music to listen to while reading or holding a glass of wine and savoring the day's accomplishments. Add this to your Amazon shopping cart and you won't regret it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Keyboard    6. Mazurka for Keyboard    7. Nocturne for Keyboard    8. Polonaise for Keyboard    9. Prelude for Keyboard    10. Transcription for Keyboard   

Features

• Original recording reissued
• Original recording remastered

Reviews (6)

Good for the price.....
I listen to this CD while reading or when I need inspiration to play the piano.There are many classic pieces here that will have many recognizable sections to the non classical music fans.The sound quality is not amazing but the essence and technical difficulty of these pieces can still be heard.Most of the songs are under 5 mins and there is a mix of faster and slower tempos.
Wonderful relaxing and soothing music
This cd of piano classics has become one of my favorites.Since I am a full-time student and work out of my home the music relaxes me during times of rest.

The Sound Quality Really Bugs Me
This is a good intro CD to famous piano pieces.However, the sound quality is really *poor*.Of course, what do you expect for the price?I'm sure there are better Piano Sample CDs out there that sound much better.It's worth the extra money, trust me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Baroque Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    4. Classical    5. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    6. Classical Music    7. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    8. Concerto    9. Etude for Keyboard    10. Keyboard    11. Keyboard Music    12. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    13. Minuet for Keyboard    14. Moment Musical for Keyboard    15. Nocturne for Keyboard    16. Piano Concerto    17. Polonaise for Keyboard    18. Prelude for Keyboard    19. Rhapsody for Keyboard    20. Waltz for Keyboard   

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Ballet    2. 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard    3. 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music    4. 20th/21st Century Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem    5. American 20th/21st Century Opera    6. Bagatelle for Keyboard    7. Ballet    8. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    9. Berceuse for Keyboard    10. Cantata    11. Cello Concerto    12. Cello Solo    13. Chamber    14. Choral    15. Classical    16. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    17. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    18. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    19. Concerto    20. Concerto Grosso   

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem    2. Bagatelle for Keyboard    3. Baroque Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    4. Baroque Variations for Keyboard    5. Berceuse for Keyboard    6. Cantata    7. Canzona for Keyboard    8. Chamber    9. Chamber Music & Recitals    10. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    11. Choral    12. Chorale Prelude or Chorale Treatment for Keyboard    13. Classical    14. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    15. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    16. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    17. Collection of Preludes for Keyboard    18. Concerto    19. Contrapuntal/Improvisatory Keyboard Music    20. Etude for Keyboard   

Subjects:  1. Adagio for Orchestra    2. Anthem    3. Bagatelle for Keyboard    4. Ballet    5. Baroque Suite/Partita for Orchestra    6. Baroque Variations for Keyboard    7. Cantata    8. Cello Concerto    9. Chamber    10. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    11. Choral    12. Clarinet Concerto    13. Classical    14. Classical Collections-Artist Desc.    15. Classical Period Serenade/Cassation/Divertimento    16. Classical Period Symphony    17. Classical Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    18. Concerto    19. Concerto Grosso    20. Concerto for Two Solo Instruments   

Reviews (15)

Beautiful!
This is a beautifully played collection of Chopin's work. It was a birthday gift,
Well worth the money.Wonderful!Wonderful!
I am not a classical music expert but I am an expert when it comes to a great product.I have listened to the works of rubenstein and Horowitz, but nothing is comparable to this great collection of polands favorite son.The nocturnes are dreamy and romantic.The other pieces though not as mesmerizing have plenty of depth and feeling.This is a collection that you will listen to over and over again.Although this music is great anytime, it's especially meaningful during a light rainfall.Go ahead and make this investment.It's only $100.00.For the next 100 days save a dollar and you will have it paid for.I promise you won't be sorry.Excellent!Excellent!

Best investment to make
In my opinion, this is the apex of classical music. You will not find a better CD for Chopin or any piano recordings. There may be plenty of comparable CDs, but nothing can claim to surpass this.
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Subjects:  1. Allegro for Keyboard    2. Balladefor Keyboard    3. Barcarollefor Keyboard    4. Berceuse for Keyboard    5. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    6. Classical    7. Classical Composers    8. Classical Music    9. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    10. Collection of Dance-Based Music for Keyboard    11. Collection of Etudes, Studies, or Exercises for Keyboard    12. Collection of Preludes for Keyboard    13. Contradance for Keyboard    14. Ecosse/Ecossaise for Keyboard    15. Etude for Keyboard    16. Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard    17. Fugue for Keyboard    18. Galop for Keyboard    19. Impromptu for Keyboard    20. Individual Dance for Keyboard   

Reviews (5)

More like Three anda Half Stars
When I think of the piano, the first composer that comes to my mind is Chopin.Chopin was a composer who excelled in small form writing for the piano.He wrote beautiful melodies with complex accompaniment that was both challenging for the performer and enlightening for the listener.Chopin did not write many multi-movement pieces and what he did write is generally not as good as his solo piano pieces anyway (this is my opinion, not a fact).
Good, not Great
Revolutionary Etude and many other performers are good. However, Fanastie Impromptu I've heard performed much better. Raindrop Prelude is played okay, but the song is so low in volume that I can hardly hear it. Good deal though.

Five Stars for Chopin
What can I say!This is a wonderful collection of music.I highly recommend it for anyone who loves his music. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ballet    2. Classical    3. Classical Composers    4. Classical Music    5. Concerto    6. Etude for Keyboard    7. Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard    8. Keyboard    9. Mazurka for Keyboard    10. Nocturne for Keyboard    11. Orchestral & Symphonic    12. Piano Concerto    13. Polonaise for Keyboard    14. Prelude for Keyboard    15. Romantic Ballet    16. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    17. Waltz for Keyboard   

Features

• Box set

Reviews (5)

Love it.
This is my favorite album. I think that not even Rubinstein's later recordings attain this quality of musical involvment.
RECORDING QUALITY IS A FACTOR
Otherwise, I would have given 5 stars.The fact that these have a hiss (and you can practically hear him close the piano on several numbers) should be mentioned.I guess we are spoiled to audio quality, but this is an expensive collection and this fact was glaringly omitted.That said, I have enjoyed the recordings, in spite of the very audible hiss.

Some of the Best Chopin Recordings Ever
If someone put a gun to my head and demanded to know the best choice for a Chopin cd purchase, I would state with confidence "get the EMI classics Rubinstein collection".These recordings, made mostly in the 30s, contain some of the very best Chopin ever recorded.I've spent a lot of effort trying to find definitive versions of every Chopin piece, with the result that the Rubinstein 30s recordings of the Concertos, Nocturnes, Mazurkas (which are contained in the present set) are historically definitive.For competitors, I mention Moravec's 60s recording of the Nocturnes and Zimerman's two recordings of the concertos.I know of no better recording of the complete Mazurkas.Also, no Chopin fan should be without the present recordings of the Scherzi and Polonaises, which have few competitors.For the Barcarolle I suggest Dinu Lipatti, and for the Berceuse, Solomon.But each recording here, definitive or not, is first rate and a front runner.The recordings were made at the beginning of a transition period Rubinstein made in his 40s when he forced himself to relearn his repertiore in a more disciplined manner than he had previously; it was at this stage in his life that Rubinstein acquired the status of being one of the greatest piano artists of the century.Thus these recordings are very inspired and more reliable than later Chopin recordings he made.Of course Rubinstein is, over all pianists, most closely associated with Chopin.This is somewhat unfair in the sense that there are many brilliant pianists who have outstanding recordings of Chopin which do compare and sometimes exceed Rubinstein's.The present set is an outstanding selection which will best represent Rubinstein's contribution to a library of Chopin recordings. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Barcarollefor Keyboard    2. Berceuse for Keyboard    3. Box Sets (Audio Only)    4. Chamber Music & Recitals    5. Classical    6. Classical Artists    7. Classical Music    8. Coll. of Character/Single-Movement/Misc. Works for Keyb.    9. Collection of Dance-Based Music for Keyboard    10. Concerto    11. Keyboard    12. Mazurka for Keyboard    13. Nocturne for Keyboard    14. Orchestral    15. Piano Concerto    16. Polonaise for Keyboard    17. Romantic Overture for Orchestra    18. Scherzo for Keyboard    19. Waltz for Keyboard   

Reviews (5)

An Inspirational CD for an Inspirational Movie!
The movie for this CD actually played a large part in my decision tobecome a serious pianist! The CD itself portrays all the pieces used in themovie wonderfully with the top recordings by the most talented artists. TheRachmaninov piano concerto no.3 is extremely exciting to listen to. If youenjoy exciting and romantic classical music, then this is the CD for you!

Awesome CD!
When I first saw the movie "Shine", I knew I had to get thesoundtrack right away.When I got to the store, I was hoping that thesoundtrack will include the complete list of all the songS.Many times, Iget disapointed when I buy soundtracks (espeically classical music) becausethey tend to include only the part that they used in the movie.But when Isaw this CD, I knew this was IT!!!And when I listened to it, it was evenbetter than I expected.I love classical music and a lot of times, I amvery disappointed by the presentation of the music in many CDs.It seemsas if they hired someone who barely understand the piece to play the song. But from the first song you hear, you know this CD isn't that case.Youcan "feel" every song.Every time I listen to this CD, I getemotional.If you love classical music, I guarantee that you will lovethis CD.MUST HAVE!!

notwithstanding
This is a wonderful collection of classical music.Liszt, Rachmaninoff, and Chopin pieces are featured with such an artistic interpretation.Notwithstanding the cut made in movement 3, Rafael Orozco's version ofRach3 touches your soul.And this is coming from a Vladimir Horowitz fan,and a pianist! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Choral    2. Classical    3. Classical Collections-Composer Desc.    4. Classical Music    5. Classical Pop    6. Concerto    7. Etude for Keyboard    8. Gloria    9. Keyboard    10. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    11. Opera    12. Piano Concerto    13. Polonaise for Keyboard    14. Prelude for Keyboard    15. Rhapsody for Keyboard    16. Romantic Symphony    17. Russian Romantic Opera    18. Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble    19. Soundtracks & Film Scores    20. Symphonic   

Subjects:  1. Balladefor Keyboard    2. Childrens    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Collection of Dance-Based Music for Keyboard    7. Concerto    8. Etude for Keyboard    9. Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard    10. Keyboard    11. Mazurka for Keyboard    12. Nocturne for Keyboard    13. Piano Concerto    14. Polonaise for Keyboard    15. Prelude for Keyboard    16. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    17. Romantic Variations for Keyboard    18. Scherzo for Keyboard    19. Waltz for Keyboard   

Reviews (4)

Brendel, Beethoven, and Vox can't be beat
These VoxBox series of Brendel playing Beethoven are wonderful: beautiful playing and a great price!This set is very impressive, particularly the 32 Variations On An Original Theme In C Minor.Brendel's playing is very expressive, and the sound quality is excellent.

Fine job, Mr. Brendel!
This collection of piano variations and smaller pieces by Beethoven shows Alfred Brendel in excellent form as an interpreter of that composer's work.However, four sets of variations are missing! The Variations on a March by Dressler (Beethoven's first extant composition published in 1783) is only mentioned in the liner notes.The Twelve Variations on Haibl's "Minuet a la Vigano" SHOULD have been given the characteristic Brendel stamp.They deserve to be heard more often.Also absent are the now considered spurious set on "Ich Hab Ein Kleines Huttchen Nur" (published 1832).The "Diabelli" Variations have been recorded by Mr. Brendel in a separate recording on the Philips label.Also, some of the piano sonatas and little pieces (excepting the C Minor Allegro and the Op. 89 Polonaise) were better left off.

A treasure!Buy it!
I can't believe no one has reviewed this album. These discs are a complete and continual joy! The sound is brilliant beyond compare, and what Brendel gets out of the piano is amazing--an incredible range of moods and dynamics.I also own the variations in a (much more expensive) set by Buchbinder, and they seem cold and stiff compared to these.The longer I live the more I admire Beethoven, and these discs add immensely to my awe at his genius. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bagatelle for Keyboard    2. Character/Single-Movement/Miscellaneous Work for Keyboard    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Classical Period Variations for Keyboard    7. Ecosse/Ecossaise for Keyboard    8. Keyboard    9. Keyboard Music    10. Polonaise for Keyboard    11. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard   

Reviews (10)

Top ten of any performance ever!
We made sure our home had hardwood floors just so we could enjoy this performance at its absolute best.Listen to it at lifelike volume and enjoy the ride: it sounds like it could unravel at any moment, but it never does.So many performances of this work are technically stunning, but tremendously dull.Horowitz brings this piece to life like no other pianist.But, if you can find it, Lazar Berman's recording for CBS was stunning.

Largely Dispensable
Beginning with a rather tinny Polonaise-Fantaisie, Horowitz follows it up with three relatively stunning Scarlatti sonatas. I am terrified by his reading of the Rachmaninoff G Minor prelude, he uses practically NO pedal at all. The Hungarian Rhapsody by Liszt is borderlining on out of control throughout, as is typical by Horowitz. The Chopin B Major Nocturne is one of the few highlights on this first disc. A Mix of Sensitive, Passionate, and VulgarPlaying...
Horowitz has always been a controversial figure in the music world, and this CD can help explain why. It abounds in obscene playing of Chopin (it's an almost painful experience to listen to the reading of the first Ballade) and contains some ridiculously eccentric Liszt (it sounds as if Horowitz plays the last two chords of the first Mephisto Waltz with his elbows). Apart from these shenanagins, however, Horowitz offers up several sparkling Scarlatti Sonatas, beautifully passionate Scriabin Etudes, and demonically exciting original transcriptions such as The Stars and Stripes Forever and the Carmen Variations. The two other Liszt selections are also very entertaining. My rating of three stars is based on the overall quality of playing on this particular album and not on my opinion of Horowitz in general. Still, this recording is worth the money for the few treats I have mentioned. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Variations for Keyboard    2. Balladefor Keyboard    3. Band    4. Barcarollefor Keyboard    5. Baroque Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    6. Chamber Music & Recitals    7. Classical    8. Classical Artists    9. Classical Music    10. Collection of Preludes for Keyboard    11. Etude for Keyboard    12. Keyboard    13. Keyboard Music    14. March for Band    15. Morceau for Keyboard    16. Nocturne for Keyboard    17. Polonaise for Keyboard    18. Prelude for Keyboard    19. Rhapsody for Keyboard    20. Scherzo for Keyboard   

Reviews (2)

chopin performances to go back to
This is the first cd I bought when I started my classical cd collection six years ago. Now I have over a hundred classical cds, of pianists ranging from legends like Martha Argerich, Artur Rubinstein, Glenn Gould, Alicia de la Roccha, Evgeny Kissin, Alfred Brendel, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Philippe Entremont, Daniel Barenboim, Claudio Arrau, Murray Perahia to emerging lights like Lang Lang, Yundi Li, Stanislav Bunin, Cecile Licad, etc.
Winner of Polish Chopin Grand Prix
The selections in this CD are taken from Idil Biret's recording of the complete piano works of Chopin (Naxos 15 CD) which won a "Grand Prix du Disque Frederic Chopin" in Poland in 1995. This competition is held once every five years and there were 46 entries that year with two winning prizes. Need one say more? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Balladefor Keyboard    2. Berceuse for Keyboard    3. Classical    4. Classical Composers    5. Classical Music    6. Concerto    7. Etude for Keyboard    8. Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard    9. Keyboard    10. Mazurka for Keyboard    11. Nocturne for Keyboard    12. Orchestral & Symphonic    13. Piano Concerto    14. Polonaise for Keyboard    15. Prelude for Keyboard    16. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    17. Scherzo for Keyboard    18. Waltz for Keyboard   

Features

• Original recording remastered

Reviews (9)

The Best Classical Piano Album of All Time
I loved this album so much I have bought it four times; I wore out two vinyl copies and a CD.This is the best pianist of the 20th century playing some of the best piano music ever written.Van Cliburn's meteoric rise to fame was no accident.His effortless technical perfection, his ability to play the great works with feeling and grandeur are unique.On this album he has chosen 8 tracks that demonstrate the incredible breadth of Chopin's piano music.
Van Cliburn
Van Cliburn is one of the best classical pianist of all times. He plays Chopin beautifully as he does any music. I am amazed that anyone would write a bad review about his playing.

for the most part horrific (with a couple exceptions)
The playing here is so bad that I thought my eyes were deceiving me when I saw the label "Van Cliburn". It is hard to even know where to begin. The simple trills in the C shape waltz are not cleanly played leading to a disequilibrium in timing (it would be a hard argument to make that Cliburn inserted rubato here... it is quiet obvious that this is a slip caused by the trill). In the subsequent theme Cliburn plays stacatto with no pedal. Some pianists tend to play staccato here... but with no pedal? The pedal goes hand in hand with waltzes during the oom (followed by the pah-pah).
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Subjects:  1. Balladefor Keyboard    2. Chamber Music & Recitals    3. Classical    4. Classical Artists    5. Classical Music    6. Etude for Keyboard    7. Fantasy/Fantasia for Keyboard    8. Keyboard    9. Nocturne for Keyboard    10. Polonaise for Keyboard    11. Scherzo for Keyboard    12. Waltz for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

Chopin may have distrusted romanticism, yet no other romantic composer has worn as well. His music both stings and sings with harmonic adventurousness, together with an uncanny instinct for the geography of the keyboard. The Op. 28 Préludes exemplify Chopin's genius for telegraphing big ideas into snug spaces, while his Études provide an index to his pianistic idiom. Pollini fares best in the Préludes, where his aristocratic pacing and cool control allow the music's mood swings to speak for themselves. The Études glitter with icy accuracy, but the Polonaises lackRubinstein's rhythmic snap and generosity of spirit. Still, Pollini's unruffled pianism remains the envy of every conservatory student and competition aspirant. DG's analog sonics are fully competitive. Read more

Reviews (10)

Impecable!
Pollini's interpretation and execution of the 24 etudes is superb, as are his polanaises. His preludes however, no.19 especially, I feel, have a touch of delicacy which it could do without. Where marked 'vivace' it is played closer to 'presto'. Apart from this however it is a first class performance, and fully worthy of the 5 stars I have given it.
Superb Playing
While sometimes a little faster than generally performed (as my teacher put it "because he can!") Pollini exeplifies near flawless technique with wonderful interpretation of Chopin. The only complaint I personally have, is that the playing seems a bit technical, and not as much emotion is put into the actual peices. Though Etudes are not generally known for their musicality, Pollini, I feel, could still be afford a little more push/pull in some of the selections.
Really extraordinary performance of the Preludes and Etudes!
It takes a very great artist to be able to play pieces which have been overperformed and overtaught, and bring something fresh to the table.Pollini does just that, especially in his performances of the Preludes and Etudes.
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Subjects:  1. Classical    2. Classical Composers    3. Classical Music    4. Collection of Dance-Based Music for Keyboard    5. Collection of Etudes, Studies, or Exercises for Keyboard    6. Collection of Preludes for Keyboard    7. Keyboard    8. Polonaise for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

This seems to be RCA's attempt to create the perfect Horowitz sampler. It's a pretty good try. The Tchaikovsky First Concerto, considered definitive in its day, seems more of a technical than musical accomplishment today, but there's no denying the hyper-excitement generated by Horowitz and Toscanini. The Rachmaninov Third is one of Horowitz's great accomplishments, stunningly played and superbly accompanied by Reiner. The solo disc generally plays to Horowitz's strengths, with marvellous playing of such specialties as Schumann, Scriabin, Scarlatti, Rachmaninov, Prokofiev, and Clementi. (Horowitz was the only major pianist to appreciate Clementi, bless him.) The Chopin items include an unfortunately steely-sounding Read more

Reviews (6)

Best of Horowitz
Those of us who were fortunate to SEE as well as hear pianist Vladimir Horowitz perform in concert will long remember the quiet, nervous, and rather timid man who slowly walked on the stage.When I saw him at the Paramount Theatre in Oakland in 1978, he hadn't played on the West Coast in many years.Actually, Horowitz was absent from concert halls for years, only making recordings, either for RCA Victor or Columbia.
Truly Legendary...with icing on the cake...
This cd is one of the best Horowitz compilations that exists. It is indeed Legendary. The recording of the Rach 3 here is the top, greatest reading of the piece, how Rachmaninoff himself would have approved. The Tchaikovsky with Toscanini is my favorite, even though Horowitz does not take many chances in tempo and whatnot because, afterall, he was playing with his great, fiery-tempered father-in-law. Now, on to the second disk. Despite what some people say about the Polonaise-Fantaisie, I believe it is a great reading, and Horowitz never drags the tempo like Ashkenazy often does. The Mazurka is beautiful indeed (the 1965 version is better) and the forever famous Nocturne can bother people who are used to Rubinstein's interpretation. The reading of the Nocturne is somewhat like Cortot's - different. The schumann Traumerei is beautifully done (it was toped, however, by the version in Horowitz in Moscow). The Scriabin preludes are full of color, but what really is fascinating is the Etude op.8 no.12 (not op. 18, as the cd cover says). This version is slower than Horowitz's usual tempo, and there are finger slips and mistakes. There are some "neurotic" sections, and all this is explained by the fact that Horowitz, at the time, was going through a period of uncertainty and failure, I guess you could say, because of all the medicine he was taking. It is, however, beautiful instead of powerful, and Horowitz is in control. The favorite encores Etincelles and Carmen variations are excellent, and the Rachmaninoff prelude is the most beautiful, deep, and searching reading I have ever heard. The Mephisto Waltz is a showpiece, and Horowitz plays it like it is intended to be, a little out of control in some places however.
Highs and Lows
Although the Tchaikovsky is "viscerally exciting" as one reviewer put it, it is unfortunately much too fast.While Horowitz certainly has the technical skills to pull this off, some of the grandeur of this concerto is lost along the way.It's too bad they couldn't instead have included Horowitz's incredible 1943 performance (also with Toscanini) of the concerto, which has all of the power and none of the rushing.
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Subjects:  1. 20th/21st Century Variations for Keyboard    2. Baroque Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    3. Capriccio/Caprice for Keyboard    4. Chamber Music & Recitals    5. Classical Artists    6. Classical Music    7. Concerto    8. Etude for Keyboard    9. Keyboard    10. Keyboard Music    11. Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title    12. Mazurka for Keyboard    13. Nocturne for Keyboard    14. Piano Concerto    15. Polonaise for Keyboard    16. Pop    17. Prelude for Keyboard    18. Romantic Sonata/Sonatina for Keyboard    19. Toccata for Keyboard    20. Waltz for Keyboard   

Editorial Review

Chopin didn't like public concerts in large venues, and he played very few of them, preferring salons and home concerts. But he also admired the way his pupil Guttman could play his music with greater power than Chopin could ever muster. Thibaudet is a sensitive musician of the Guttman type. Although he can create intimacy, his basic style at the modern grand piano is very public, sounding as if he's playing to the top row at Carnegie Hall. It can sometimes be a bit much for hearing in a small living room, but this is still an attractive Chopin recital, a varied and generous program, all played very well. And it comes with its own built-in contrast: a bonus mini-recital of four items taken from a TV documentary in which Thibaudet plays a Broadwood piano that Chopin himself played in 1848. The instrument automatically reduces the scale of the music, making it more intimate, and Thibaudet adapts successfully to its character. Maybe, if we get lucky, Thibaudet will record a whole CD on this piano! Read more

Reviews (9)

One of the best CDs I heard of anything
Wow! surely the best 1 CD compilation of Chopin's music. Here familiar works are presented as if they were discovered yesterday. Such a freshness !!!! tempi, phrasing, articulation, are outstanding! Lucid, vivid, not grandiloquent or mannered. For instance take the eroic polonaise! At first not a great thing, seems weak but then remember polonaise was not a warrior dance but instead a stately, full of dignity. And that is what you hear! Listen to how the piece is growing with captivating power. I could go on citing examples of the mastery Thibaudet brings to all pieces. And then ... as if this were not enough ... change instrument!!! he chose for the last tracks a period piano, Chopin's piano! Simply wonderfull! And then ... wow! 2 of that pieces are also played previously on a modern Steinway, so you have here a little "comparative discography". Discover the different approaches to same music with different instruments!
A disappointing disc from a great pianist
It is one of the unfortunate limitations of this venue that reviews for any given item seem to presuppose a general audience, and it's not possible for reader or reviewer to state his or her frame(s) of reference. A CD review by a musician is not necessarily *better* than one by a non-musician, but it is likely to be relevant for different listeners. But even among musicians it's obvious that one musician will not necessarily agree with another just because they are both musicians.