First True Love Affair [Import]

Written and produced by Jeremy Siepmann, this audio-bio not only tells the strange story of Chopin's life but also includes generous examples of his music, drawn from the bottomless pit of Naxos musical CDs. An excellent idea was to use actors for the voices of Chopin (Anton Lesser), George Sand and other females in his life (Elaine Claxton and Karen Archer), and other male acquaintances (Neville Jason). It is the kind of reading that would fascinate even if the work were fictional.

His letters are particularly fascinating, especially as they are read dramatically by the small cast; and one would rather hear about all his faults--physical and psychological--from people who knew him well. Perhaps his strange epistolary relationship with his Titus is dwelt upon a bit too much, but such are the times (then and now).

My only criticism in a negative direction is the length of the musical examples. I do not really think the entire "Revolutionary Etude" had to be played or the entire "Funeral March"; a minute or two with a fadeout would have been fine, especially on repeated hearings where one wants the facts. Nevertheless, highly recommended.

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Siepmann: The Life and Works of Chopin Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ecossaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Rondos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Impromptus | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005JCIK Release Date: 2001-05-15

Tracks:

1. Chopin And The Soul Of The Piano
2. Music: Berceuse, Op.57
3. Chopin The Pole
4. Music: Polonaise In G Minor
5. Early Education
6. Music: Variations On A German Air
7. Encounters With The Polish Peasantry
8. Music: Mazurka in G
9. Chopin As Industrious Pupil
10. Music: Sonata In C minor (Opening)
11. He Finds His True Voice As A Composer
12. Music: Rondo A La Mazur, Op.5
13. The Fun-Loving Teenager
14. Music: Ecossaise, Op.72, No.3
15. Onset Of Illness And The Death Of A Sister
16. Music: Nocturne In E Minor
17. 'Hats Off, Gentlemen! A Genius!'
18. Music: Variations On 'La Ci Darem La Mano', Op.2
19. The Influence Of Paganini
20. Music: Souvenir De Paganini
21. The First Etudes
22. Music: Etude In C Sharp Minor, Op.10, No.4
23. Success In Vienna
24. Music: Nocturne In C Sharp Minor
25. Chopin In Love
26. Music: Polonaise For Cello And Piano
27. Stagnation, Celebrity And The First Concerto
28. Music: Concerto In F Minor, Op.21
29. Return Of Vitality And Inspiration
30. Music: Concerto In E Minor, Op.11
31. Farewells And The Final Departure From Poland

Tracks:

1. Europe And Chopin In Crisis
2. Music: Scherzo No.1 In B Minor
3. Arrival In Paris
4. Music: Waltz In E Flat, Op.18
5. Paris, Politics, Poles And Performance
6. Music: Impromptu In A Flat, Op.29
7. Chopin And The Opera
8. Music: Andante Spianato, Op.22
9. Chopin And Kalkbrenner
10. Music: Etude In G Flat, Op.10, No.5
11. The Cholera Epidemic; The Fashionable Teacher
12. Music: Etude In C Minor, Op.10, No.12, The 'Revolutionary'
13. Teaching In Earnest
14. Music: Etude In A Minor, Op.25, No.4
15. 'Souplesse Avant Tout!'
16. Music: Nocturne In B Flat Minor, Op.9, No.1

Tracks:

1. The Wodzinska Affair
2. Music: Nocturne In B Major, Op.32, No.1
3. 'An Elegant, Pale, Sad Young Man'
4. Music: Nocturne In D Flat, Op.27, No.2
5. George Sand And A Majorcan Winter
6. Music: Preludes, Op.28
7. Misanthropy, Hypocrisy And Prejudice
8. Music: Mazurkas
9. At Nohant: An Idyllic And Creative Summer
10. Music: Impromptu In F#
11. The Idyll Continues
12. Music: Sonata In B Flat minor - Funeral March And Finale

Tracks:

1. The Return To Paris
2. Music: Ballade No.4 In F Minor
3. Chopin Grows Moody, Petulant And Volatile
4. Music: Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58 - Finale
5. Failing Health And Mounting Tensions
6. Music: Barcarolle, Op.60
7. The Break With Sand/Illness/London
8. Music: Prelude In F Sharp, Op.28, No.8
9. Scotland, London, Paris; Decline And Death
10. Music: Polonaise In A Flat, Op.53

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First True Love Affair Jimmy Ross Manufacturer: Unidisc Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Imports | Stores | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Pop | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00001ZTJR Release Date: 1996-03-06

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