| 1. Maravilloso Corazon, Maravilloso |
| 2. Ni Muerta |
| 3. Estoy Tan Lejos |
| 4. Ojos Verdes |
| 5. Toco Madera |
| 6. Lo Voy a Dividir |
| 7. Si Te Vas con El |
| 8. Oye |
Brillantes,Raphael,Sony International,Ethnic Fusion,Latin,Pop
Average customer rating:
|
Chopin: The Piano Works
Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000041KB Release Date: 1997-06-24 |
Tracks:
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: I - C Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: II - A Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: III - G Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: IV - E Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: V - D Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: VI - B Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: VII - A Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: VIII - F Sharp Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: IX - E Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: X - C Sharp Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XI - B Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XII - G Sharp Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XIII - F Sharp Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XIV - E Flat Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XV - D Flat Major 'Raindrop'
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XVI - B Flat Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XVII - A Flat Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XVIII - F Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XIX - E Flat Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XX - C Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XXI - B Flat Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XXII - G Minor
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XXIII - F Major
- 24 Preludes, Op.28: XXIV - D Minor
- Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op.45
- Prelude In A Flat Major
- Impromptu In A Flat Major, Op.29
- Impromptu In F Sharp Major, Op.36
- Impromptu In G Flat Major, Op.51
- Fantaisie-Impromptu In C Sharp Minor, Op.66
Tracks:
- Ballade No.1 In G Minor, Op.23
- Ballade No.2 In F Major, Op.38
- Ballade No.3 In A Flat Major, Op.47
- Ballade No.4 In F Minor, Op.52
- Scherzo No.1 In B Minor, Op.20
- Scherzo No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.31
- Scherzo No.3 In C Sharp Minor, Op.39
- Scherzo No.4 In E Minor, Op.54
Tracks:
- 3 Nocturnes, Op.9: I - B Flat Minor
- 3 Nocturnes, Op.9: II - E Flat Major
- 3 Nocturnes, Op.9: III - B Major
- 3 Nocturnes, Op.15: I - F Major
- 3 Nocturnes, Op.15: II - F Sharp Major
- 3 Nocturnes, Op.15: III - G Minor
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.27: I - C Sharp Minor
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.27: II - D Flat Major
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.32: I - B Major
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.32: II - A Flat Major
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.37: I - G Minor
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.37: II - G Major
Tracks:
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.48: I - C Minor
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.48: II - F Sharp Minor
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.55: I - F Minor
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.55: II - E Flat Major
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.62: I - B Major
- 2 Nocturnes, Op.62: II - E Major
- Nocturne In E Minor, Op.72 No.1
- Nocutrne In C Sharp Minor
- Nocturne In C Minor
Tracks:
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: I - C Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: II - A Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: III - E Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: IV - C Sharp Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: V - G Flat Major 'Black Key'
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: VI - E Flat Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: VII - C Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: VIII - F Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: IX - F Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: X - A Flat Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: XI - E Flat Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.10: XII - C Minor 'Revolutionary'
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: I - A Flat Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: II - F Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: III - F Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: IV - A Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: V - E Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: VI - G Sharp Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: VII - C Sharp Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: VIII - D Flat Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: IX - G Flat Major
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: X - B Minor
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: XI - A Minor 'Winter Wind'
- 12 Etudes, Op.25: XII - C Minor
Tracks:
- 2 Polonaises, Op.26: I - C Sharp Minor
- 2 Polonaises, Op.26: II - E Flat Minor
- 2 Polonaises, Op.40: I - A Major
- 2 Polonaises, Op.40: II - C Minor
- Polonaise In F Sharp Minor, Op.44
- Polonaise In A Flat Major, Op.53
- Polonaise-fantaisie In A Flat Major, Op.61
Tracks:
- 3 Polonaises, Op.71: I - D Minor
- 3 Polonaises, Op.71: II - B Flat Major
- 3 Polonaises, Op.71: III - F Minor
- Polonaise In B Flat Minor
- Polonaise In G Flat Major
- Polonaise In G Minor
- Polonaise In B Flat Major
- Polonaise In A Flat Major
- Polonaise In G Sharp Minor
Tracks:
- Waltz In E Flat Major, Op.18
- 3 Waltzes, Op.34: I - A Flat Major
- 3 Waltzes, Op.34: II - A Minor
- 3 Waltzes, Op.34: III - F Major
- Waltz In A Flat Major, Op.42
- 3 Waltzes, Op.64: I - D Flat Major
- 3 Waltzes, Op.64: II - C Sharp Minor
- 3 Waltzes, Op.64: III - A Flat Major
- 2 Waltzes, Op.69: I - A Flat Major
- 2 Waltzes, Op.69: II - B Minor
- 3 Waltzes, Op.70: I - G Flat Major
- 3 Waltzes, Op.70: II - F Minor
- 3 Waltzes, Op.70: III - D Flat Major
- Waltz In E Minor (1830)
- Waltz In E Major (1829)
- Waltz In A Minor (?1843)
- Waltz In A Flat Major (1827)
- Waltz In E Flat Major ('Sostenuto', 1840)
- Waltz In E Flat Major (1829 - 1830)
Tracks:
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.6: I - F Sharp Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.6: II - C Sharp Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.6: III - E Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.6: IV - E Flat Minor
- 5 Mazurkas, Op.7: I - B Flat Major
- 5 Mazurkas, Op.7: II - A Minor
- 5 Mazurkas, Op.7: III - F Minor
- 5 Mazurkas, Op.7: IV - A Flat Major
- 5 Mazurkas, Op.7: V - C Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.17: I - B Flat Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.17: II - E Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.17: III - A Flat Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.17: IV - A Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.24: I - G Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.24: II - C Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.24: III - A Flat Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.24: IV - B Flat Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.30: I - C Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.30: II - B Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.30: III - D Flat Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.30: IV - C Sharp Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.33: I - G Sharp Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.33: II - D Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.33: III - C Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.33: IV - B Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.41: I - C Sharp Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.41: II - E Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.41: III - B Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.41: IV - A Flat Major
Tracks:
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.50: I - G Major
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.50: II - A Flat Major
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.50: III - C Sharp Minor
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.56: I - B Major
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.56: II - C Major
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.56: III - C Minor
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.59: I - A Minor
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.59: II - A Flat Major
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.59: III - F Sharp Minor
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.63: I - B Major
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.63: II - F Minor
- 3 Mazurkas, Op.63: III - C Sharp Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.67: I - G Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.67: II - G Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.67: III - C Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.67: IV - A Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.68: I - C Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.68: II - A Minor
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.68: III - F Major
- 4 Mazurkas, Op.68: IV - F Minor
- Mazurka In A Minor ('a Emile Gaillard', 1840)
- Mazurka In A Minor ('Notre temps', 1840)
- Mazurka In B Flat Major (1826)
- Mazurka In G Major (1826)
- Mazurka In A Flat Major (1834)
- Mazurka In C Major (1833)
- Mazurka In B Flat Major (For Alexandra Wolowska, 1832)
- Mazurka In D Major (1832)
- Mazurka In D Major (?1820)
- Mazurka In F Minor, Op.68 No. 4 - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tracks:
- Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: I - Grave - Doppio movimento
- Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: II - Scherzo
- Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: III - Marche funebre
- Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35: IV - Finale: Presto
- Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: I - Allegro maestoso
- Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: II - Scherzo: Molto vivace
- Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: III - Largo
- Piano Sonata No.3 In B Minor, Op.58: IV - Finale: Presto, non tanto
- Fantaisie In F Minor, Op. 49
Tracks:
- Piano Sonata No.1 In C Minor, Op.4: I - Allegro maestoso
- Piano Sonata No.1 In C Minor, Op.4: II - Minuetto - Trio
- Piano Sonata No.1 In C Minor, Op.4: III - Larghetto
- Piano Sonata No.1 In C Minor, Op.4: IV - Finale: Presto
- Variations sur un air national allemand - E Major (1826)
- Rondo In C Minor, Op.1
- 3 Ecossaises, Op.72 No.3: I - D Major; II - G Major; III - D Flat Major
- Rondo 'a la Mazur' In F Major, Op.5
- Marche funebre In C Minor, Op.72 No.2
- Contredanse In G Flat Major (?1827) - Vladimir Ashkenazy
- Rondo In C Major, Op.73 - Vladimir Ashkenazy
- Variations In D Major For Piano Duet (1826) - Vladimir Ashkenazy
Tracks:
- Variations In A Major ('Souvenir de Paganini', 1829)
- Variations brillantes In B Flat Major, Op.12
- Rondo In E Flat Major, Op.16
- Bolero In A Minor, Op.19
- Cantabile In B Flat Major
- Variation In E Major
- Largo In E Flat Major
- Allegro de concert In A Major, Op.46
- 3 Nouvelles Etudes (1837): I - F Minor
- 3 Nouvelles Etudes (1837): II - A Flat Major
- 3 Nouvelles Etudes (1837): III - D Flat Major
- Tarentelle In A Flat Major, Op.43
- Fugue In A Minor (1841 - 42)
- Albumblatt in E Major (1843)
- Op.74 No.2: Wiosna - Spring
- 2 Bourrees (1846): I - G Minor; II - A Major
- Galop Marquis
- Berceuse In D Flat Major, Op.57
- Barcarolle In F Sharp Major, Op.60
Customer Reviews:
My experience of this CD.......2007-04-04
Beautiful!.......2006-08-18
and I listen to bits of it every day. I have yet to find a favorite
CD, as each is so lovely. It is well worth the price.
Well worth the money. Wonderful! Wonderful!.......2006-06-10
Best investment to make.......2006-05-21
Although some pieces are not as good as those by other artists, Ashkenazy's interpretations of Chopin are the best I've ever heard. Add in his amazing technical performance and you've got some sublime music.
Listening to these pieces have immensely helped my own Chopin reportoire. I don't play to mimic Ashkenazy, but I use his insights and apply my own style over that and end up with something exponentially better than what I could produce on my own.
The price is something you have to seriously consider. A hundred bucks. Yeah, that's a lot of money, but that's 48 cents per song. And you'll listen to these songs dozens of times, at least, I guarantee. Plus it's a great deal... if you were to get all the Ashkenazy-Chopin CDs available on Amazon, overlapping pieces as little as possible, you'd pay $30 more and still not have everything.
This is an investment for life and will definitely remain one of my favorite CD sets for decades. Decades. A hundred bucks for decades of amazing music. This stuff is larger than today, larger than life.. music this good is something you can't afford to pass up because of temporary financial difficulties.
A great pianist interpreting the most inspired composer ever !.......2005-09-15
Interpretation and emotion feeling is also a matter of taste, so that the only one who can give a final answer is Franois (Frederic).
Ashkenazy is gifted with a phenomenal technique, a great pianist. So that this collection is for sure 5 stars. Enjoy it.
Ah, if you like to see piano technique in action, listen to Georgy Cziffra's interpretation of Etude op. 10 no. 4. (Search the album in my reviews.)
Average customer rating:
|
Happy Birthday
Gidon Kremer , and Kremerata Baltica Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006JP2B Release Date: 2003-01-28 |
Tracks:
- Polka
- Thema
- Variation Nach Joseph Haydn
- Variation Nach Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Variation Nach Ludwig Van Beethoven
- Variation Nach Johannes Brahms
- Variation Nach Robert Schumann
- Variation Nach Antonin Dvorak
- Polka/Valse
- Variation Im Stil Von Filmmusik
- Ragtime
- Tango
- Czardas
- Adagio
- Allegretto
- Ad Libitum
- Allegro. Presto
- Variations Brillantes Et Concertantes Sur L'air 'God Save The King,' Op.38
- Elegy
- McMozart's Eine Kleine Bricht Moonlicht Nicht Musik
- I. Eine Kleine Nichtmusik
- II. Moonlight Concerto
- III. Chaconne A Son Gout
- IV. Hommage To Shostakofiev
- Souvenir
Amazon.com
To celebrate its sixth anniversary as an ensemble, Kremerata Baltica presents a light, loving, and musically interesting confection. After an opening polka by Schnittke (who knew he could be so frothy?), we get 11 variations on the song "Happy Birthday" by Peter Heidrich, à la Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms, and some dance movements. Delightful. Elsewhere, Franz Waxman's Variations on "Auld lang syne" are as clever as they are unexpected and charming. More variations--this time on "God save the King" by the 19th century composers Ghys and Servais--afford Kremer and cellist Marta Sudraba a fine time, and Teddy Bor's brief riff on Mozart's omnipresent "Eine kleine nachtmusik" is a hoot. There's more, but the point is made: Classical music can be fun and sophisticated, and Kremer and his group remain virtuosi, one and all. --Robert LevineAlbum Description
These young Baltic musicians possess a vivid spectrum of string color, thoroughly polished execution, and a direction of effort in service to the composer... There is no violinist with greater versatility and commitment to musical truth than Kremer. Slipcase. Nonesuch. 2003.Customer Reviews:
A well chosen album title.......2007-01-10
But this is a bit unfair for this excellent orchestra.
If what you are looking for is innovations on the romantic classicals... well this could be it. The point is that this is an album for listeners who know their way into classical music.
Other than that I should suggest that innovation regarding any classical music "playful" album would be to capture the listener's interest with more daring ways than that.
Happy Birthday by Gidon Kremer.......2007-01-09
A perfect birthday gift.......2006-01-26
Jest with Zest.......2005-11-26
I want to play the variations myself!.......2004-07-22
Average customer rating:
|
Malcolm Frager Plays Chopin
Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003CXS Release Date: 2003-06-24 |
Tracks:
- Polonaise, Op. 53 'Heroic' (In A-Flat Major, In As-dur, En La Bemol Majeur)
- Andante Spianato And Grande Polonaise, Op. 22 (In E-Flat Major, In Es-dur, En Mi Bemol Majeur)
- Variations Brilliantes On An Aria From Ludovic By Herold, Op. 12
- Mazurkas, Op.6
- Contredanse (In G-Flat Major, In Ges-dur, En Sol Bemol Majeur)
- Tarantelle, Op.43 (In A-Flat Major, In As-dur, En La Bemol Majeur)
- I. Allegro Maestoso
- II. Scherzo: Molto Vivace
- III. Largo
- IV. Finale: Presto Non Tanto
Amazon.com
The late Malcolm Frager was one of America's greatest pianists. He was trained by his teacher Carl Friedberg--pupil of Clara Schumann and friend of Brahms--in the great Romantic tradition. In this superb, wide-range digital recording, Frager plays some of Chopin's best-known music with color and poetic expression. In the opening two Polonaises, Frager handles the virtuosic demands unobtrusively, making beautiful music even out of the glittery difficulties of the Grande Polonaise. The Sonata receives a heroic performance, with touching playing of the long largo. This disc is a wonderful souvenir of a great artist who deserves to be remembered by all pianophiles. --Leslie GerberCustomer Reviews:
A must have for the piano lover and audiophile.......2007-03-25
One of the best Chopin CDs out there.......2006-08-03
An old treasure.......2006-05-26
For Chopin' s purists perhaps there had been some repairs t make. But if you are looking for a thunderous Chopin, go for this.
Great music, great artist, great piano = great enjoyment!.......2006-01-07
The first six tracks of this wonderful disk were previously released. With them is a very fine recording of the monumental Sonata in B-minor Opus 58. Every track is a delight and you will want to hear them. His playing is free and clear. There are no tricks or mannerisms in order to appeal to the popular audience. This is gloriously pure playing of Chopin that goes at both the heart and the mind.
His piano is the co-star of this album. It was recorded in 1978 to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Bösendorfer piano. This is considered one of the elite pianos and has its fans. Some call it their imperial grand the Rolls Royce of pianos. They are still hand made in Vienna in small quantities. Yes, they are very expensive. But if you need to ask ...
The disk opens with the ever popular and wonderful Heroic Polonaise in A-flat major Opus 53. The Andante Spianato & Grand Polonaise, and the opus 12 Variations Brillantes follow. He then plays the Mazuraks Opus 6, a Contredanse, the Opus 43 Tarantelle, and then the previously mentioned B-minor Sonata. All wonderful stuff.
This is a disk you will enjoy listening too many times.
Caution: may break your heart.......2005-01-14
Average customer rating:
|
Face à face: Duos for Violin & Cello
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00008ODZJ Release Date: 2003-07-08 |
Tracks:
- Passacaille After Handel
- Duo Op. 7
- Duo Op. 7
- Duo Op. 7
- Sonate Pour Violon & Violoncelle
- Sonate Pour Violon & Violoncelle
- Sonate Pour Violon & Violoncelle
- Duo
- Duo
- Duo
- Duo
- God Save The King Op. 38
Amazon.com
This is a recording to induce smiles of incredulity, admiration, and delight. The Capuçon brothers are dazzling virtuosos who revel in their technical prowess with unabashed, sometimes mischievous relish; their tone is simply gorgeous: rich, vibrant, and intense, and they have the impetuosity, exuberance and abandon that befits their youth. (Renaud was born in 1976, Gautier in 1981, in Chambery, France.) The recording is designed to display every aspect of their matchless virtuosity, but equally astonishing are their uncanny rapport and unanimity and the homogeneity of their tone: they trade phrases and take over lines literally imperceptibly, and at times, especially when the cellist plays high up on the A and the violinist on the G-string, one cannot tell which instrument is playing what. The program includes a world premiere: Eric Tanguy's Sonata, written for the brothers and tailored to their strengths: two marathon run-around movements flanking a dark, passionate, slow one, all full of close interplay between the instruments. Kodály's familiar, very difficult Duo, played with great idiomatic empathy, unbridled temperament and mournful lamentation, exploits all the instruments' resources of colors and sound effects. The less familiar Duo by Erwin Schulhoff is equally difficult; with its wildly contrasting moods, abrupt changes of character and improvisatory freedom it has a powerful emotional impact. The program begins and ends with brilliant fireworks: Handel-Halvorsen's "Passacaglia," tossed off with playful nonchalance, and "Variations brillantes sur God Save the King," by two virtuosos: violinist Joseph Ghys and cellist Adrien Servais. (It is tempting to imagine that each wrote his own part.) Prefaced by a solemn, operatic Introduction, the five variations are the last word in acrobatics; the pyrotechnics are so incredible that the piece sounds like a parody of its own genre. Naturally, the playing is absolutely stunning. --Edith EislerCustomer Reviews:
A smile in the mind..........2003-09-12
Magnificent music making!.......2003-07-18
Average customer rating:
|
Chopin: Complete Edition
Krystian Zimerman , Claudio Arrau , Stefan Askenase , Anatol Ugorski , Maurizio Pollini , Jean-Marc Luisada , and Zilberstein, Lilya Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00001X58Z Release Date: 1999-10-12 |
Amazon.com
On the 150th anniversary of his death, Deutsche Grammophon released this impressive box set featuring the complete works of Frédéric Chopin. Spread out over 17 CDs, it contains some truly big-name artists--Argerich, Pollini, Barenboim, and Ashkenazy--and a few you've probably never heard of. The majority of the set's nine volumes contain some music newly produced for this undertaking, and a few items (Chopin's songs, for instance) were recorded specifically for this collection. A well-illustrated book is included--it contains an essay, dateline, and illustrations--and each volume in the set gets its own liner notes. The music? It varies from great to less than great, but most of it is worth hearing. Those accustomed to Rubinstein's readings of the Mazurkas will find those played by Jean-Marc Luisada less fluid and lacking Rubinstein's power. Chopin's songs, seldom heard and filled with elements of Polish folk dances and the less-than-stellar lyrics of the composer's friend Stefan Witwicki, get a college try here by soprano Elzbieta Szmytka. They sound as good as you'll hear anywhere (if you can find them). It probably goes without saying that Martha Argerich's rousing 26 Préludes are some of the set's more exciting moments. But, really, the entire collection is solid. It should be noted that budget label Naxos has released its own Chopin edition at less than half the price of this set. With Idil Biret as the only performer on that set, you miss out on some of the diverse performances and personalities found here. Also, to please those of us who already own favorite performances of these works, each two-CD volume in the Complete Chopin Edition can be purchased individually. Bravo. --Jason VerlindeCustomer Reviews:
At least 16 / 19 well spent hours.......2004-10-11
Rubinstein recorded the preludes (op.28) in their entirety only once, in 1946, which means that they aren't available in RCA's collection with preferable sound quality, but on this set Martha Argerich delivers a great performance of the 26 preludes (no.1-24, op.28, plus 25, op.45, and 26, op. 35,) recorded in 1975. One prelude that in my opinion should always be played as slow and gentle as possible is no.15 (a.k.a. "The Raindrop Prelude.") What I'd like to describe as a prefect version of the piece is performed by--despite my having done a lot of research--a, to me unknown performer, but runs at 6:08 minutes. Argerich rushes the whole piece a bit (the drops fall too closely -) the fact that her version runs at 4:51 should say a lot. Of the approximately 20 different performances I've heard of this particular prelude (obviously one of my favorites,) Argerich's is the shortest, and lays somewhere in the swamp among other "medium integral" versions. She delivers exciting performances of the other preludes, though - the first time I heard them, I hit repeat on my CD player, and listened to nothing else for three days.
The Mazurkas, here performed by Jean-Marc Luisada and Lilya Zilberstein, are performed--while beautifully--quite carefully and loosely. For those who'd like a more restrained performance of the pieces, RCA's Rubinstein Collection, vol. 50, is recommended.
Besides all the music for only piano(s,) Chopin also composed 80 minutes worth of chamber music, which here is performed by Beaux Arts Trio, et al. He also wrote 45+ minutes worth of songs, which here is performed by soprano Elzbieta Szmytka and pianist Malcolm Martineau on a 1999 performance. I don't feel qualified to comment on solo singing in Polish, but while I don't care for the occasional close-to-full effect vibrato, I like Martineau's piano playing and the almost folksy melodies and arrangements. This music distinguishes itself by far from the rest of the music in the set. Translations to several languages of the lyrics to the 19 songs are included.
The stereophony on all recordings is great, the overall sound quality on all discs (when considering the years of the recordings) I'd give a 4/5, but still rate the whole package 9/10 - I'd think that some (both older and newer) recordings could have been transferred better, while some sound superior to what you'd dare dream of. This is definitely the best complete edition of Chopin's music available, and perhaps the best collection of works available on disc by any classical composer. A lot of work has been put into the set's design, the sound, and certainly the amount and accuracy of interesting info given in the enclosed illustrated 140 page hard-cover book (of which a fifth is written in English) and in the 40-60 page booklets (also illustrated) included in each volume; practically everything you'll ever need to know about the composer (and these recordings) is included here along with all the music he wrote. Well worthy of your time and money.
Enlightening but slighly blemished.......2004-07-05
The greatest virtue of this collection is the opportunity to hear more obscure elements of Chopin's collected ouevre. He wrote some lovely chamber music and wrote highly effective variations with and without orchestra. Among his 17 songs are a few gems.
As for the strength of the performances, some of them are rightly considered definitive. I love Zimerman in the piano concerti, Argerich owns the Op. 28 preludes, and I find in Pollini's scherzos the unbridled energy and interpretive depth required by these challenging pieces. Even if Daniel Barenboim's nocturnes do not set any records, they are well-done and completely satisfying.
I was less enthusiastic about Pollini's readings of the latter 2 piano sonatas, which I find prosaic on the whole. I was equally underwhelmed by Bunin's impromptus, which again betray interpretive rather than technical deficiencies. My greatest disappointment is Jean-Marc Luisada's controversial readings of the mazurkas. An unwieldy rubato rules the day here, and distorts the harmonic language to the point that it sounds like Debussy or Ravel's frequent (and unshakeably French-sounding) evocations of Spain. I much prefer any of the Rubinstein mazurka sets, which are colorful but rhythmically mindful of their namesakes.
Properly supplemented in the more familiar repertory (mazurkas, impromptus, sonatas, in particular), I believe this set is indispensable to anyone who appreciates or seeks a broader understanding of Chopin the composer. I recommend it highly.
Chopin - Luisada, Jean-Marc.......2002-04-14
It seems as often reviewers/critics/listeners have the same opinions: I wonder if it isn't in some cases the old story of the Emperors new clothes - nobody dares to have a different opinion, as they do not want to appear stupid.
Some of the reviewers here, didn't like Luisadas performances of the Mazurkas. I hold the heretical opinion that Jean-Marc Luisadas performances are much better than Rubinsteins (I possess the three different complete Mazurka recordings of Rubinstein). There are few pianists that like Luisada know how to treat the piano as a truly polyphonic instrument, with absolute control of every line, and at the same time being able to emphasise every harmonic detail - giving every chord its differing and appropriate degree of tension. Furthermore he understands how to display the different moods and characters of the music. All these factors make Luisadas performances extremely colourful. Every Mazurka with Luisada is a unique experience.
Ps. Other recordings do occasionally wet the critical appetite: For instance the everywhere highly acclaimed Chopin recordings with Pollini are often musically awful, the Etudes opus 10 nr. 1 and opus 25 nr. 1 are examples. For the complete Etudes, buy Boris Berezovsky's recording for Teldec, it surpasses Pollini by far. Ds.
Chopin - Luisada, Jean-Marc.......2002-04-14
It seems as often reviewers/critics/listeners have the same opinions: I wonder if it isn't in some cases the old story of the Emperors new clothes - nobody dares to have a different opinion, as they do not want to appear stupid.
Some of the reviewers here, didn't like Luisadas performances of the Mazurkas. I hold the heretical opinion that Jean-Marc Luisadas performances are much better than Rubinsteins (I possess the three different complete Mazurka recordings of Rubinstein). There are few pianists that like Luisada know how to treat the piano as a truly polyphonic instrument, with absolute control of every line, and at the same time being able to emphasise every harmonic detail - giving every chord its differing and appropriate degree of tension. Furthermore he understands how to display the different moods and characters of the music. All these factors make Luisadas performances extremely colourful. Every Mazurka with Luisada is a unique experience.
Ps. Other recordings do occasionally wet the critical appetite: For instance the everywhere highly acclaimed Chopin recordings with Pollini are often musically awful, the Etudes opus 10 nr. 1 and opus 25 nr. 1 are examples. For the complete Etudes, buy Boris Berezovsky's recording for Teldec, it surpasses Pollini by far. Ds.
Learn, learn, learn!.......2000-10-16
DG deserves praise for coming with an excellent set of records as well as presentation of the booklets. It is breathtaking to have the opportunity to really know Chopin so well.
Performers are first rate and speak for themselves, and for the price of 8 CD's you get the whole collection. Yes, you can get in some cases better performances, but overall you can find a better compilation. Naxos has its own, and I am going to exchange it with a friend, problem will be to get mine back!
Buy it without hesitation.
Average customer rating: |
Louise Farrenc: Piano Works
Manufacturer: Cpo Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000VAW48 Release Date: 2004-01-20 |
Tracks:
- Air Russe Varie Op. 17
- No. 22 Allegro Molto In F Minor
- No. 19 Presto In B Flat Minor
- No. 7 Andante Espressivo In D Major
- No. 4 Allegro Moderato In G Major
- No. 10 Adagio In F Sharp Minor
- No. 8 Andantino In B Minor
- No. 30 Allegro In D Minor
- No. 3 Allegro Non Troppo In A Minor
- No. 12 Moderato. Fugo A Due Soggetti In E Major
- Valse Brillante Op. 48 - Allegro Vivo
- Nocturne Op. 49 - Andante
- Variations Brillante Op. 15 Over The Cavatina 'Nel Veder La Tua Costanza' From The Opera 'Anna Bolena'
Average customer rating:
|
The Piano Album
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000C2KC Release Date: 1998-10-20 |
Tracks:
- Hexentanz
- Chant Polonais No. 1 In G 'Maiden's Wish'
- The Crimson Petal
- The Fuchsia tree
- Capriccio In F Minor, Op. 28 No. 6
- Minuet In G, Op. 14 No. 4
- Nocturne, In B Flat, Op. 16 No. 4
- Etude In A-Flat Major, Op. 1 No. 2
- Melodie In E
- Caprice-Burlesque
- My Favorite Things
- Kashmiri Song
- Music Box
- The Swan
- Papillons
- The Gardens Of Buitenzorg- (From 'Java Suite', Book 3)
- Waltz In A, Op. 2
- En route, Op. 9
- Sicilliano, Op. 42 No. 2
- Caprice espagnol, Op. 37
Tracks:
- Variations Brillantes Op. 14
- The Enchanted Nymph
- Der Kontrebandiste
- Melody In F
- Gargoyles, Op. 29: I. Presto
- Gargoyles, Op. 29: II. Adagio semplice, ma con molto rubato
- Gargoyles, Op. 29: III. Allegro moderato
- Gargoyles, Op. 29: IV. Presto feroce
- The Musical Snuffbox
- The Musical Snuffbox
- Etude de style, Op. 40 No. 1 'Agilite'
- Till I Wake
- Weep You No More
- March Of The Siamese Children
- Valse mignone
- Serenata, Op. 15 No. 1
- Bourree (From Violin Sonata No. 2)
- Erinnerungen (Triakontameron No. 25)
- Adagietto (From 'L'Arlesienne')
- Ungarishe Zigeunerweisen
Customer Reviews:
Good, not great........2002-05-22
Thanks to Arthur Schnabel complete recordings of Sonatas, Concertos and Variation Works have become the mainstay of the recorded piano repertoire. Nowadays, it is hard to imagine that this has not always been the case. Yet, just have a look at the complete Rachmaninov recordings on RCA to see that even this giant mostly recorded little trifles, since the record buyers of his time prefered snacks over meals.
This generous and economic double cd contains a compilation of mostly romantic smaller scale works, that Rachmaninov's clientele would have enjoyed. Some are obscure, others e.g. Ljadov's snuff box and Taussig's Gypsy tunes are pretty well known.
Hough-a man from the splendid 1961 vintage, just like Hamelin and your's truly- is a highly accomplished pianist. His playing is good, yet not up to the Hamelin standards. The repertoire, however, started to bore the hell out of me after a while. I admit, that there are true exceptions like the Liebermann Gargoyles, but for me this set was simply too much of a good thing.
The interpretations vary from decent to good. I used to own an lp of the French virtuoso Setrak, that contained both the Ljadov and Taussig mentioned above and believe you me those interpretations dwarfed what we get here.
In conclusion, a generous compilation of smaller scale pianoworks. Good clean piano playing and more than adequate recordings.
Incredible!.......2001-01-12
overly rich nostalgic pieces and particles of the piano.......2001-01-06
When played in consecutive order all these works I found myself bored,this music inhabits such a rich timbral world that it's message overspends itself, overspills into the next work. A modernist voice of Lowell Lieberman is here, a postmodern specialist in this genre of the new tonality, or the past revisited. Proust taught us the rich chasms of remembering, and the process of reoccurence of time returning in differnt guises. Lieberman's "Gargoyles" has its own sardonic charm.,equally at home compliasant with his timbral brethren.
Average customer rating:
|
Boehm: The Revolution Of The Flute/Schubert: Ständchen/Das Fischermädchen/Das Meer/Beethoven: Serenade
Manufacturer: MD&G Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000021FX Release Date: 1997-04-22 |
Tracks:
- Polonaise De Carafa Op.8: 1. Adagio/2. Polonaise
- Vars Sur La Marche De L'Opera Moise Op.17: 1. Andante/2. Allegro-Tema/3. Var I/4. Var II...
- Vars Brillantes Sur Un Air Allemand 'Du, Du Liegst Mir Am Herzen' Op.22: 1. Larghetto...
- Souvenir Des Alpes. Six Morceaux De Salon No.2 Rondo Allegro Op.28
- Fondo A La Mazurka Op.36
- Three Songs From Schwanengesang: Standchen
- Three Songs From Schwanengesang: Das Fischermadchen
- Three Songs From Schwanengesang: Das Meer
- Ser Op.8: Marcia
- Ser Op.8: Adagio
- Ser Op.8: Menuetto: 1. Allegretto/2. Trio/3. Allegretto Da Capo
- Ser Op.8: Polonaise. Allegretto Alla Polacca
- Ser Op.8: Tema Con Variazioni: 1. Andante/2. Var I/3. Var II/4. Var III.Allegretto
- Ser Op.8: Marcia Da Capo
Customer Reviews:
great stuff for all flute fanatics.......2002-04-19
Boehm was a genius ! Among the many things he did in his very productive life, he is credited for transforming the flute from a simple wooden tube over-burdened with ill-positioned keys to a fantastic streamlined modern instrument we have come to accept as *the flute* of today.
The music on this CD is delightful.
The first 2 tracks are played on an old style conical wooden flute made in 1840. The timbre of this flute is wonderfully simple and charming. The lack of keys and conical bore means that some notes will be difficult to play in tune and some passages will be noticably uneven. There are also passages that sound more flowing than one would expect from the modern flute.
Tracks 3 is played on a conical flute with ring keys (1835). I love the sound of this flute. These old flutes surprise me with the big sound they are quite capable of. Articulation on a wooden flute sounds very different from a modern flute.
Tracks 4 & 5 are played on a cylindrical silver flute (1851). What a world of difference it suddenly makes. This particular flute Boehm made very thin. It is ladened with intricate keywork that has yet to be simplified to resemble the modern species. Its sound is very sweet and resonant. Almost woody. Strangely alien, yet very beautiful. Articulation is very clean and immediate. Some passages sound more legato than one would expect. Others clonk a little more.
An alto flute plays in the Schubert. Boehm loved the alto flute. we can tell why from the hauntingly beautiful sounds of this gentle instrument he created in 1860...
The closing Beethoven is played on a cylindrical wooden flute (1870). Its timbre is similar to the silver flute from earlier, it sounds closest to the modern flute to my ears, especially in track 13.
More importantly, the flutist on this CD is an incredible musician. Not only has he mastered a bunch of different key systems and embouchure, he made the music sound beautiful and effortless. Boehm flutes were built to a scale system that is not easy to play in tune. The "traditional" scale is thought to be outmoded and mostly useless today. We can safely recognise here that intonation is as much a function of superior technique and musicianship, as it is a question of choice of superior instruments. Korad Hunteler plays wiht great commmand of tone, technique, articulation and flowing legato, and always full of honest musical insight. The constraints put upon him by primitive instruments seem a non-event when listening to music that is this rich and exciting.
To complete the historic picture, Michaela Puhn accompanies Hunteler on a fortepiano by Conrad Graf of 1835 vintage. She plays wiht great art and sensitivity. The kind of accompanist most flutists would kill for !
wonderful reading to go with your beautiful music ( if you're into technical stuff... ) include: < the Flute and Flute Playing> by Theobald Boehm. Dover ISBN 0-486-21259-9. < The Complete Guide to the Flute and Piccolo > by James Phelan. Burkart-Phelan Inc. ISBN 0-9703753-0-1. I wait eagerly for Ardal Powell's new book < the Flute > also.
Average customer rating: |
Chopin: Barcarolle; Berceuse; Sonata No. 1; etc.
Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00000E3NX Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Average customer rating: |
Sor: Introduction & Variations, Opp. 26-28; Douze Etudes, Op. 29; Fantaisie et Variation Brillantes, Op. 30
Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000014DW Release Date: 1997-02-04 |
Tracks:
- Introduction And Variations On 'Que Ne Suis-je La Fougere!', Op.26
- Introduction And Variations On 'Gentil Housard', Op.27
- Introduction And Variations On 'Malbroug', Op.28
- No.13 Andante Lento
- No.14 Andante Moderato
- No.15 Andantino
- No.16 Lento Assai
- No.17 Allegro Moderato
- No.18 Andante
- No.19
- No.20 Moderato
- No.21 Lento
- No.22 Andantino
- No.23
- No.24
- Introduction, Theme & Variations
- Allegretto
Salsa Music:
- Butterfly Dreams
- Canciones Y Corridos
- Canta Como: Traileros del Norte [Karaoke] [Import]
- Conozca a Cuba
- Cuban Jam Session, Vol. 2
- Cuidado Que Te Quemas
- Cumbias del Cajon [Import]
- Cumbias Mas Movidas
- De Verdad: 15 Super Exitos
- Derechos Reservados
Salsa Music
Roxy London Wc (Jan-Apr 77) [Import]
W. A. MOZART: The Piano Sonatas/Vols. 1-5/Complete Recordings - Gitti Pirner
Toccata & Fugue in D Minor Bwv 565
Wild Wild West - Songs of the Silver Screen
Very Best of Velvet Underground [Import]
We Are the Acid House Kings [Import]
Georg Friedrich Haendel: Trois Cantates Pour Soprano Et Instruments