Ballades & Mots D'amour [Import]

Product Description
Collection of Mitchell Greates Ballads and Love Songs.

Ballades & Mots d'Amour,Eddy Mitchell,Universal/Polygram,Euro-Pop,France,French Pop,French Rock,World Music

Average customer rating: a good collection of classical music. As Good As It Gets Great performances and sound

The Chopin Ballades & Scherzos [Hybrid SACD] Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, A Night on Bald Mountain, and Other Russian Showpieces [Hybrid SACD] Brahms, Tchaikovsky: Violin Concertos [Hybrid SACD] Richard Strauss: Also sprach Zarathustra; Ein Heldenleben [Hybrid SACD] Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale [Hybrid SACD] Beethoven: Violin Concerto; Mendelssohn: Violin Concerto [Hybrid SACD] ASIN: B0002TKFS6 Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

1. No. 1, Op. 23 in G Minor
2. No. 2, Op. 38 in F
3. No. 3, Op. 47 in A-Flat
4. No. 4, Op. 52 in F Minor
5. No. 1, Op. 20 in B Minor
6. No. 2, Op. 31 in B-Flat Minor
7. No. 3, Op. 39 in C-Sharp Minor
8. No. 4, Op. 54 in E

Customer Reviews:

a good collection of classical music........2007-01-10

If you enjoy piano music, you should have this CD.

As Good As It Gets.......2006-03-24

Rubinstein was in his prime when these versions of the Chopin Ballades and Scherzos were recorded in 1959. Curiously, although this was his third version of the Scherzos, he had never before recorded the Ballades.

Rubinstein was temperamentally well suited to these works, moreso than in the Mazurkas and Preludes. The narrative aspect of the Ballades suited his intuitive sense of structure well. At this point in his career, Rubinstein had known these pieces for six decades. It is no wonder, therefore, that he performs them more convincingly than, say, Kissin does on his recent recording.

The Scherzos are outright virtuoso works. Rubinstein would occasionally perform all four in concert, back-to-back. Any other pianist would have been exhasted by the effort. Not Rubinstein, who posessed a seemingly inexaustable reserve of energy. The pianist is just as on top of these pieces, technically, as any of his colleagues, and much more attuned to them musically.

The sound, made from original three channel tapes produced by RCA's legendary Jack Pfeiffer, is spectacular in this new SACD edition--sounding every bit as lifelike as the best of today's digital recordings.

This is the one to get!

Great performances and sound.......2004-11-28

Highly recommended. Rubinstein's performances of the Ballades are lyrical, and the Scherzos exciting. The difference with previous issues is the SACD sound, which adds just that much more realism, the sense that the sound is "truer." A wonderful disc both artistically and sonically.

Average customer rating: A wonderful offering. I disagree with the consensus here Don't hesitate to get this set Superb interpretations by Katchen A little rushed sometimes, but beautiful

Brahms: Works for Solo Piano Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Variations | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Schubert: The Piano Sonatas Liszt: Piano Works Chopin: The Piano Works Works for Solo Piano Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116 ASIN: B0000042GM Release Date: 1997-11-11

Tracks:

1. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op.35: Book 1 - Heft 1
2. Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op.35: Book 2 - Heft 2
3. Variations And Fugue On A Theme By G.F. Handel, Op.24: B Flat Major
4. 4 Ballades, Op.10: Andante
5. 4 Ballades, Op.10: Andante
6. 4 Ballades, Op.10: Intermezzo. Allegro
7. 4 Ballades, Op.10: Andante con moto

Tracks:

1. Works For Solo Piano: Ziemlich langsam
2. Works For Solo Piano: Poco larghetto
3. Works For Solo Piano: Allegro
4. Works For Solo Piano: Walzer Nr. 1 - 8
5. Works For Solo Piano: Walzer Nr. 9 - 16
6. Works For Solo Piano: Scherzo es-moll

Tracks:

1. Works For Piano Solo: Allegro
2. Works For Piano Solo: Andante
3. Works For Piano Solo: Scherzo. Allegro molto e con fuoco
4. Works For Piano Solo: Finale. Allegro con fuoco
5. Works For Piano Solo: Allegro non troppo ma energico
6. Works For Piano Solo: Andante con espressione
7. Works For Piano Solo: Scherzo. Allegro
8. Works For Piano Solo: Finale. Introduzione (sostenuto) - Allegro non troppo e rubato
9. Works For Piano Solo: Agitato
10. Works For Piano Solo: Molto passionato, ma non troppo allegro

Tracks:

1. Works For Piano Solo: Allegro maestoso
2. Works For Piano Solo: Andante espressivo - Andante molto
3. Works For Piano Solo: Scherzo. Allegro energico
4. Works For Piano Solo: Intermezzo. Andante molto
5. Works For Piano Solo: Finale. Allegro moderato ma rubato
6. Works For Piano Solo: Presto energico
7. Works For Piano Solo: Andante
8. Works For Piano Solo: Allegro passionato
9. Works For Piano Solo: Adagio
10. Works For Piano Solo: Andante con grazia ed intimissimo sentimento
11. Works For Piano Solo: Andante teneramente
12. Works For Piano Solo: Allegro agitato

Tracks:

1. Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op.76 - I Capriccio in F sharp minor
2. Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - II Capriccio in B minor
3. Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - III Intermezzo in A flat major
4. Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - IV Intermezzo in B flat major
5. Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - V Capriccio in C sharp minor
6. Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - VI Intermezzo in A major
7. Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - VII Intermezzo in A minor
8. Works For Solo Piano: 8 Pieces, Op. 76 - VIII Capriccio in C major
9. Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - I Intermezzo in A minor
10. Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - II Intermezzo in A major
11. Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - III Ballade in G minor
12. Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - IV Intermezzo in F minor
13. Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - V Romanze in F major
14. Works For Solo Piano: 6 Pieces, Op. 118 - VI Intermezzo in E flat minor
15. Works For Solo Piano: 4 Pieces, Op. 119 - I Intermezzo in B minorn B
16. Works For Solo Piano: 4 Pieces, Op. 119 - II Intermezzo in E minor
17. Works For Solo Piano: 4 Pieces, Op. 119 - III Intermezzo in C major
18. Works For Solo Piano: 4 Pieces, Op. 119 - IV Rhapsody in E flat major

Tracks:

1. Works For Solo Piano: Andante moderato
2. Works For Solo Piano: Andante non troppo e con molto espressione
3. Works For Solo Piano: Andante con moto
4. Works For Solo Piano: g-moll
5. Works For Solo Piano: d-moll
6. Works For Solo Piano: F-dur
7. Works For Solo Piano: fis-moll
8. Works For Solo Piano: fis-moll
9. Works For Solo Piano: Des-dur
10. Works For Solo Piano: F-dur
11. Works For Solo Piano: a-moll
12. Works For Solo Piano: e-moll
13. Works For Solo Piano: E-dur
14. Works For Solo Piano: d-moll
15. Works For Solo Piano: d-moll
16. Works For Solo Piano: D-dur
17. Works For Solo Piano: d-moll
18. Works For Solo Piano: B-dur
19. Works For Solo Piano: f-moll
20. Works For Solo Piano: fis-moll
21. Works For Solo Piano: D-dur
22. Works For Solo Piano: h-moll
23. Works For Solo Piano: e-moll
24. Works For Solo Piano: e-moll

Customer Reviews:

A wonderful offering........2007-08-03

There may be the individual recording made by others - Gilels, Rubinstein, Arrau - of a particular work which might be preferred but as a collection of the Brahms piano works, this set has to take the prize.

The quality of recording is high - here I must sadly observe that the date of recording offers little guide to the quality thereof - and there is a remarkable consistency of piano sound despite the three years spanning the recording dates. One has to listen very attentively to detect which of the four Ballades was recorded monaurally; a strange anachronism in the 'sixties.

As another reviewer has suggested, the accompanying notes in french and german do provide interestingly different perspectives; what I find surprising and more than a little irritating is that beyond a passing (and, seemingly, grudging) mention, no biographical nor any other information is provided about the pianist. Julius Katchen was a consummate musician, very highly regarded in his day but whose achievements (like those of Witold Malcuzynski) are not so well remembered now. This set serves to redress the balance and I recommend it highly.

As an irrelevant aside, some fifty years ago and quite by chance, I found myself sitting next to Katchen on an aircraft. I remember he had unusually expressive hands; a useful attribute as the noise level of a DC3 cabin was not conducive to easy conversation! At the time, I was struggling to learn the G minor Rhapsody and he was very generous with his support. A charming man who prematurely died in 1969.

Buy this set - you won't regret it.

I disagree with the consensus here.......2007-07-11

I was disappointed by this set and would not recommend it. It's great that all of Brahms' piano works are included here and the boxed set includes some difficult to find works (like those Op. 21 variation sets) as well as the better known and wonderful later piano pieces and the Op. 39 Waltzes.

The problem is that Katchen's performances are flawed and often unpleasant. The worst problem is that he bangs the keys a lot. Fortissimo passages are ideally not supposed to be noisy; they are intended to be loud and forceful without being unpleasant. It's a key distinction that Katchen fails to realize. I also think that Katchen's technique is a bit patchy. He blurs the passagework and there is a lack of both accuracy and delicacy in the fast passages. To take an example, the Op. 76 set is marred by both of these problems: a lack of accuracy and a tendency to bang on the keyboard. I also found many of the passages that didn't suffer from these problems to be interpretationally uninteresting (the slow parts of the Paganini Variations, Bk II are undistinguished, to take an example). Big thumbs down.

I did some direct comparison of sets to the Katchen performances and in every case Katchen was far inferior.

Take the Op. 39 Waltzes: Leon Fleisher's old recording is wonderful and much more sensitive and interesting than Katchen.

I also listened to Radu Lupu's recording of the Opp. 117-119 pieces (THAT is a wonderful recording - if you are looking for a superb recording of Brahms piano music, get that one and save yourself the aggravation of the Katchen set) and it's simply no contest.

I also sampled the terrific Op. 79 Rhapsodies and the Paganini Variations as played by a favorite pianist of mine, the lesser-known French pianist Nicholas Angelich, and Katchen's sloppy and undirected interpretations pales before the versions by a "non-superstar" pianist.

So while I admit I haven't listened to every portion of the Katchen set, I found every reason to avoid it when compared to some alternatives available.

Don't hesitate to get this set.......2007-07-04

It's a good thing I waited to write this until I'd heard these CDs a few times. I would have been guilty of understatement. Katchen's work grows on me in much the same way Brahms' music itself does. It is rich in nuance and insight, and never fails to please.

I'll confess, I bought this set to fill the gaps in my piecemeal collection. What a delightful surprise to find my "stopgap" set more than holds its own against recordings by the likes of Richter, Rubinstein and Gilels. To help the reader overcome any reluctance I offer a few comments on the few "downsides" mentioned by others:

Yes, Katchen does play fast, but not always, and certainly not out of inability to hold the listener's attention through more artful means. Katchen's track times are often slower than Rubinstein's or even Gilels'; but where the spirit moves him, he can go like a rocket. He's generally fastest in the earlier works, where a case can be made for playing them with youthful ardor; Katchen does this to a T. This applies to the first 2 sonatas, the Paganini variations (why would anything associated with Paganini lack splash and dazzle?) and to a much lesser extent, parts of the Handel variations. The main thing is, it works. The very few places where I felt Katchen was rushing the music are heavily outnumbered by places where the added energy seems to "fit" like a glove.

Yes, in an exhaustive set you inevitably endure the "bottom of the barrel." I'm surprised how little of this 6-CD set strikes me as anything less than indispensible. Every track is worth hearing. Katchen has been surpassed here and there, but he doesn't put in a bad performance in the whole batch.

Yes, the recordings are more than 40 years old. They will not satisfy the most jaded audiophile (there's not quite the "presence" of a good recording today). But they are amazingly clean and lifelike for their age (even the 3 tracks that are mono). They sound noticeably better than the popular Rubinstein recordings of equal vintage. At first I thought I heard a touch of bass-heaviness, but now I just think Katchen gives us a strong, clear bass line. Once again, it works. The sound is simply not a problem for a normal listener.

Finally, there's the small stuff. Getting the CDs out of their tight-fitting sleeves without putting your fingerprints on the playing surface is well-nigh impossible, unless you give in and apply a letter opener to solve the problem once and for all. Is that any reason not to get this much wonderful music at such a low price? London has even revived the old practice of offering different program notes in different languages, so that multilingual readers can benefit from more than one set of comments. All around it's a winner!

Superb interpretations by Katchen.......2006-11-16

Katchen's performace throughout this collection are excellent.Brahms integrates many of Schumann's,Bach's and Beethovens compositional ideas into his own works.He is a master of the appoggiatura(suspension of the dominant chord).And the ghosts of Bach,Schumann,and Beethoven appear at intervals throughout this collection of his piano works.The VARIATIONS ON AN ORIGINAL THEME is an ethereal experience,and the Op.09 VARIATIONS ON A THEME BY SCHUMANN, composed after his death,Brahms's pathos,especialy in the slower variations, make you aware of his sadness of Schumann passing, as there is vivid sense of despair and remorse you can hear throughout.It is well documented the profound influence Shumann had on Brahms's compositional process.OP.76 is a passionate performance by Katchen.You also have short piano works culminated in Op116,Op 117,Op.118,which includes the great masterpiece in Ebminor,and Op.119.The Pagganini Variations,Variations on a theme by Haydn,the Ballads Op. 10.And both volumes of the HUNGARIAN DANCES,the 2 Rhapsody's,and VARATIONS ON A THEME BY HANDEL.It quite remarkable that such music could be created by such a young man in the astonishing Sonatas,OP.1,OP.2,and OP.5.The slow movements in all three sonates are very inspiring,and heart fealt.It makes you glad to be alive in order to hear such remarkable music.A well balanced performance throughout.If your a Brahms lover,this is a must for your collection.Enjoy

A little rushed sometimes, but beautiful.......2005-02-03

To be honest, I can't really figure out how much I like Katchen's performance. It's hard to gauge because Brahms's piano music is inherently exceptional played by just about any performer.

I feel that the ballades, op. 10 are played way too fast (although I'm not exactly sure how close Katchen is to Brahms's tempi indications). I've heard them by several other performers and, being a Gould fan, would have to say that his slower interpretation really captures how beautiful the pieces are more than anyone else. I also enjoy Kempff's performances of many later works. Katchen really seems so rushed for some reason. To me, that really takes attention away from the fine details, which I think are so essential to Brahms's piano music. He's not quite delicate enough with some of the pieces.

This faster speed is only very slight for the rest of the set, but pretty consistently. I think he does a better job with more intense pieces like many of his larger-scale variations and the sonatas. Those I would give 5 stars, but only 4 stars for the op. 116-119, for they're a little too fast.

My only other qualm is the arrangement of the set. It would be nice to have all the sonatas together on a disc, 116-119 on a disc, etc., going along with the whole chronological thing..

However, all these things are personal preference. I would definitely recommend this set. It's made up about 1/2 of my music listening for the past couple months. It's not expensive at all for what you're getting, and if you get just one Brahms piano cd, you're going to want to get more, so you should just get it over with and have this whole set, it's fabulous music. Just keep in mind that this is not the only interpretation that should be considered.

Average customer rating: The "Clinker" of the bunch

Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Sextets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Concertinos | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Intermezzos | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Variations | Variations | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Beethoven: The Masterworks (Box Set) ASIN: B00062FLIS Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

The "Clinker" of the bunch.......2006-12-19

Having collected the entire "The Masterworks" series (including the Bach and Mozart Complete Works) this set is the 'clinker' of the bunch. First off... 6 CD's of Lieder 'historic' (pre-historic) recordings. No Overtures, No Orchestral Seranades, No Haydn Variations?? The performances of the Symphonies and the Concertos are shakey and not very well recorded. Brilliant Classics, who has done such a wonderful job with the Hadyn Complete Symphonies (licensed from Nimbus), the Mozart and Bach Complete sets, has stumbled a bit with this release.

Average customer rating: a masterwork Three stars for the sound and for hitting the notes. A virtuoso performance Great as Kissin Carnegie Hall Recital Gidion Graveland

Chopin: 4 Ballades / Perahia Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Mazurkas | 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 Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Perahia, Murray | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Chopin Etudes The Aldeburgh Recital Chopin: Piano Sonatas Nos. 2 & 3; Scherzo No. 3 in C sharp minor Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 3, Rhapsodies, Intermezzo, Capriccio Songs Without Words ASIN: B000002A6J Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

1. Ballade No.1 In G Minor, Op.23
2. Ballade No.2 In A Minor, Op.38
3. Ballade No.3 In A-Flat Major, Op.47
4. Ballade No.4 In F Minor, Op.52
5. Grande Valse Brillante In E - Flat Major, Op. 18
6. Grande Valse In A - Flat Major, Op. 42
7. Nocturne In F Major, Op. 15 No. 1
8. Mazurka In A Minor, Op. 17 No. 4
9. Mazurka In A Minor, Op. 17 No. 4
10. Mazurka In D Major, Op. 33 No. 2
11. Etude In E Major, Op. 10 No. 3
12. Etude In C -Sharp Minor, Op. 10 No. 4

Amazon.com

Chopin's Ballades are imaginary short stories that leave the plot to the listener's imagination. The trick to a successful performance of such freeform compositions depends on the pianist's ability to realize all the color and variety of the various episodes while at the same time retaining control over the narrative structure of each piece. In short, it requires a classical poise and balance in projecting the relationship between form and content. This is just the sort of thing that Murray Perahia does so well. He has a firm overview of each work as a whole, but also a keen enjoyment of the music's often ornate details. The result is wholly satisfying both emotionally and intellectually. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

a masterwork.......2006-10-21

This disc has everything going for it. First of all it is simply not possible to hear too much Chopin in one's lifetime. He was amongst the very best melodists in all of music history; his harmonizations are gorgeous, complex, and highly chromatic; and in terms of pianism qua pianism his music is perfectly idiomatic. As for Perahia's performances, they are masterworks. They won't be everyone's favorites (they are not amongst the most rhapsodic and romantic of readings), but they are conceived and realized with immense skill and sophistication.

Furthermore the programming here presents a very good cross-section of Chopin's pieces, from the ballads to the waltzes, mazurkas, nocturne, and etudes. Each of these genres has its own distinct character, making this an excellent introductory Chopin disc; an interesting essay in the liner notes describes the different poetic effects each of these genres seeks to realize. Buy one without delay.

Three stars for the sound and for hitting the notes........2004-06-26

This recording came as a great disappointment to me. I had wanted ballades, not concertos. This recording seems to miss the point of these pieces completely. The sudden changes in dynamics and the constant changes in tempo almost completely obliterates the line of the music. The ballades have their own drama, but of a more modest and poetic scale. I don't think the extra Lisztian dynamics present on this recording are a blessing.

One of the finest recordings of the Ballades I've heard were by Gary Graffman, but alas those are not available on CD as yet.

A virtuoso performance.......2003-01-27

The Ballades are played with technical flawlessness, energy, and brilliance. However, in some passages his playing seems to lack sufficient emotion. Perhaps some would consider this restraint and dispassionateness a virtue. But I tend to favor a more Rachmaninoffian emphasis on melody lines. Chopin, after all, was a Romantic composer. On the whole, though, highly recommended.

Great as Kissin Carnegie Hall Recital.......2003-01-02

As I said in my previous review about Kissin playing at Carnegie Hall I love that CD but I would put at second place this CD from Murray Perahia. It's really amazing! The first Ballade touched my deeply. Expecially the biginning it's of tremendous power and sweetness. The second also it's very intimistic and meditative and the third will touch you in dept right to your soul. The fourth is excellent as well.
I highly raccomend this CD to everyone who loves Chopin and I would suggest to buy this CD together with the Kissin one that it's another unmissible masterpiece.
A greeting to all my friends around the world
Luca

Gidion Graveland.......2002-10-22

Murray Peraiah is with Krystian Zimmerman the best living pianist on earth. This disc shows you why. Sit in your chair, close your eyes and you will be brought to another planet.

Average customer rating: Elegant, Understated Chopin Brilliant!..........!

Chopin: 4 Ballades, 4 Scherzi / Ashkenazy Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ashkenazy, Vladimir | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ashkenazy, Vladimir | ( A ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 2 & 3 / Ashkenazy, Kondrashin Chopin: 4 Ballades; Fantaisie, Op. 49; Prelude, Op. 45 Chopin: 4 Ballades/Barcarolle, Op.60/Fantasie in F BBC Friends: Richter (Great Performers of the Twentieth Century) Chopin: Piano Sonatas; Etudes ASIN: B000026D2Q Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

1. Ballade No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 23
2. Ballade No. 2 In F Major, Op. 38
3. Ballade No. 3 In A Flat Major, Op. 47
4. Ballade No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 52
5. Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op. 45
6. Scherzo No. 1 In B Minor, Op. 20
7. Scherzo No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 31
8. Scherzo No. 3 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 39
9. Scherzo No. 4 In E Major, Op. 54

Amazon.com

Listening to these superb transfers of Ashkenazy's first complete cycles of the Ballades and Scherzos, which were recorded in the mid-1960s and have been out of the catalog for more than 20 years, is a startling reminder of why the Russian, then only in his 20s, became the dominant Chopin interpreter of his generation. While Ashkenazy's interpretive style had been anticipated by players such as Dinu Lipatti and Solomon, no one else had ever played so much Chopin with such selflessness. This is not to say that Ashkenazy's Chopin was bland, but that it eschewed histrionics and personal idiosyncrasies while missing none of the passion or emotional content of the music. His use of understatement in the G Minor Ballade brings the listener inside the work as more theatrical performances do not. In the F Minor Ballade, he creates an aura of mystery from the opening notes, sustains the labyrinthine narrative line with intensity and intimacy, and concludes with a passionate conquest of the coda. His equally inspired account of the other Ballades and all of the Scherzos make this one of the finest Chopin discs in the catalog. --Stephen Wigler

Customer Reviews:

Elegant, Understated Chopin.......2001-01-24

This is the first Ashkenazy recording of Chopin I've ever heard, and initially I was very surprised. I have Ashkenazy's Rachmaninoff and Beethoven, and his interpretations of both composers are very passionate and fiery, and of course technical challenges are not an issue for him. So you'd think with Chopin he'd really cut loose, especially since the Ballades and Scherzos give a pianist ample license to do so. Yet these interpretations are remarkably understated, and the attenuated passion here creates an entirely different listening experience of these pieces, since very few pianists can resist the temptation to rip into the first and third ballades, or the third scherzo. The consistency of Ashkenazy's vision is remarkable across these eight extremely varied pieces, which are drawn from every stage of Chopin's career, and they really grow on you after a while. Ashkenazy's approach works wonders on the final ballade and scherzo Chopin wrote, when the composer's moods became more introspective and ambiguous, and he was really testing the boundaries of romanticism. Both interpretations of these are superb in their aristocratic restraint and Ashkenazy's unfaltering grasp of the complex story each tells.

I'm not sure I'd recommend this as the one and only interpretation of the Ballades and Scherzos, but it's essential if you're really into these pieces and want a countervailing treatment to hold in opposition to the unbridled fury of Zimerman's rendition of the Ballades, or Pollini's blisteringly intense treatment of the Scherzos (ditto for Pollini's Ballades for that matter). At this very generous price it's luxury you can afford, and I don't think there's another recording of both the Scherzos and Ballades on one disc, with such a masterful pianist playing them.

Brilliant!..........!.......2000-07-03

Only three exclamation marks can express how powerful Ashkenazy's playing is. These days everybody plays the Ballades and Scherzi so it's hard to sift the "good" from the "bad". Of course, it's always a matter of taste, but few would say that Ashkenazy is a poor performer. He really is a hero for lovers of Chopin's music. The second Ballade (trk. 2) will send chills through your skin, especially at the point when the enchanted lake performs its strange magic and the piece reaches a climax into a funky mazurka-style...wow. Also, there has been no better interpretation of the Scherzo No. 2, its essence never lost to virtuosity (similarly the first Scherzo).

As with all Chopin played at this level, there is a certain amount of interpretation. But, with Ashkenazy, it is never showy, always intelligent and insightful, reminding us more of Chopin than the player himself.

Average customer rating: Three phases of a great Chopin player

Chopin: 4 Ballades; Scherzos; Mazurkas Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polonaises | 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 Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Ax, Emanuel | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Brahms: 7 Fantasies, Op. 116; 4 Piano Pieces, Op. 119; Sonata No. 2, Op. 2 Haydn:Piano Sonatas (Hob. 32, 34, 44, 49) Haydn: Piano Sonatas (Hob. 33, 36, 43, 45, 46) Brahms: Piano Sonata No. 3, Op. 5; Intermezzi, Op. 117 Brahms: Handel Variations/Six Piano Pieces/Two Rhapsodies ASIN: B000BKDO3Y Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

1. Ballade No.1, Op.23, In G Minor
2. Ballade No.2, Op.38, In F Major
3. Ballade No.3, Op.47, In A-Flat Major
4. Ballade No.4, Op.52, In F Minor
5. Scherzo No.1, Op.20, In B Minor
6. Scherzo No.3, Op.39 In C-Sharp Minor
7. Mazurka, Op.24 No.2, In C Major
8. Mazurka, Op.56 No.3, In C Minor
9. Mazurka, Op.59 No.1, In A Minor
10. Mazurka, Op.59 No.2, In A-Flat Major
11. Mazurka, Op.59 No.3, In F-Sharp Minor

Tracks:

1. Andante Spianato/Grand Polonaise Brillante, Op.22
2. Nocturne, Op.62 No.1, In B Major
3. Scherzo No.2 Op.31, In B-Flat Minor
4. Scherzo No.4, Op.54, In E Major
5. Etude In F Minor
6. Etude In D-Flat Major
7. Etude In A-Flat Major
8. Polonaise-Fantaisie, Op.61, In A-Flat Major

Amazon.com

Emanuel Ax here offers a fine selection of Chopin, showcasing every aspect of the great Polish composer. The G Minor Ballade is played as poetically as the Scherzos are played expressively, with some of the more chaotic moments presented in the most melodious way. Ax rarely showboats and is mostly interested in Chopin's long lines. His tone is always warm and never brittle; the argument could be made that some of the music is emotionally thornier than Ax acknowledges, but he nonetheless is always communicative, underlining the harmonic daring of the music this latter trait particularly in the mazurkas. The two CDs are programmed for variety and it works--listening straight through never tires the ear or the sensations. The sound is big and rich. Highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Three phases of a great Chopin player.......2006-06-14

I think Emanuel Ax has settled into routine playing as he's aged, but these are premiere Chopin interpretations from two decades ago. Now that Sony and BMG have merged their classical divisions, it's possible to issue Ax's excellent 1985 reading of the four Ballades--the best ever done by an American--with a 1988 recital of Mazurkas and the four Scherzi. The first recital was originally on RCA, the second on Sony. But just to confuse things a bit more, the readings here of Scherzos #2 and #4 are dropped in from an even earlier RCA recording.

The provenance won't matter that much to the general listener, who will be happy with the budget price for probably the best Chopin two-fer on the market. Begin listening with the four Ballades, where Ax is at his most impassioned and inspired. Even three years later, when he got to Scherzos #1 and #3, he had become more refined and relaxed, less a romantic risk-taker. He's remained that way ever since, but here at least we can hear Ax in his glory. Faithful as I am to Pollini and Kisin in this repertoire, this collection often rises to their heights.

Average customer rating: Apart from flutter and bluster, this is divinely beautiful. good value Very nice sellection of pieces and artists Fabulous compositions, moments of great performing A Great Tribute to Debussy's Melodies

Debussy - Mélodies / Ameling · Mesplé · Command · Souzay · von Stade · Baldwin Claude Debussy , Mady Mesplé , Gérard Souzay , Frederica von Stade , Elly Ameling , Michèle Command , and Dalton Baldwin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Von Stade, Frederica | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Fauré - Mélodies / Souzay · Ameling · Baldwin Poulenc - Melodies / Ameling · Gedda · W. Parker · Sénéchal · Souzay · Baldwin Susan Graham - La Belle Époque (The Songs of Reynaldo Hahn) Forgotten Songs: Dawn Upshaw Sings Debussy The Songs of Henri Duparc ASIN: B000002S32 Release Date: 1992-01-23

Tracks:

1. Claude Debussy: Nuit d'etoiles
2. Claude Debussy: Fleur de bies
3. Claude Debussy: Beau soir
4. Claude Debussy: Mandoline
5. Claude Debussy: La Belle au Bois dormant
6. Claude Debussy: Voici que le printemps
7. Claude Debussy: Paysage Sentimental
8. Claude Debussy: Zephyr
9. Claude Debussy: Rondeau 4 Chansons de jeunesse
10. Claude Debussy: I Pantomime
11. Claude Debussy: II Clair de lun, 1re Version
12. Claude Debussy: III Pierrot
13. Claude Debussy: IV Apparition
14. Claude Debussy: Rondel chinois
15. Claude Debussy: Aimons-nous et dormos
16. Claude Debussy: Jane
17. Claude Debussy: Jane
18. Claude Debussy: Romance
19. Claude Debussy: Les Cloches
20. Claude Debussy: Les Angelus
21. Claude Debussy: Dans le jardin
22. Claude Debussy: La Mer est plus belle
23. Claude Debussy: Le Son du cor s'affige
24. Claude Debussy: L'Echelonnement des haies Fetes galantes
25. Claude Debussy: I En sourdine
26. Claude Debussy: II Fantoches
27. Claude Debussy: III Clair de lune

Tracks:

1. Claude Debussy: I Le Balcon
2. Claude Debussy: II Harmonie du soir
3. Claude Debussy: III Le Jet d'eau
4. Claude Debussy: IV Recueillement (Meditation)
5. Claude Debussy: V La Mort des amants
6. Claude Debussy: I De Reve
7. Claude Debussy: II De Greve
8. Claude Debussy: III De Fleurs
9. Claude Debussy: IV De Soir
10. Claude Debussy: I C'est l'extase
11. Claude Debussy: II Il pleure dans mon coeur
12. Claude Debussy: L'Ombre des arbres dans la riviere
13. Claude Debussy: IV Paysages delges - Chevaux de bois
14. Claude Debussy: V Aquarelle n 1 Green
15. Claude Debussy: VI Aquarelle n 2 Spleen

Tracks:

1. Claude Debussy: I La Flute de Pan
2. Claude Debussy: II La Chevelure
3. Claude Debussy: III Le Tombeau des Naiades
4. Claude Debussy: I Les Ingenus
5. Claude Debussy: II Le Faune
6. Claude Debussy: III Colloque sentimental
7. Claude Debussy: I Rondel ; 'Le Temps a laissie son manteau'
8. Claude Debussy: II Rondel : 'Pour ce que plaisance est morte'
9. Claude Debussy: I Aupres de cette grotte somre
10. Claude Debussy: II Crois mon conseil, chere Climene
11. Claude Debussy: III je tremble en voyant ton visage
12. Claude Debussy: I Ballade de Villon a s'amye
13. Claude Debussy: II Ballade que Vilon feit ala
14. Claude Debussy: III Ballade des femmes de Paris
15. Claude Debussy: I Soupir
16. Claude Debussy: II Placet futile
17. Claude Debussy: III Eventail
18. Claude Debussy: Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison

Customer Reviews:

Apart from flutter and bluster, this is divinely beautiful........2007-05-18

This 3CD recording presents a very substantial part of Debussy's vocal works. It's full of the most superb and mysterious songs you'll ever hear. Debussy had such a marvellously unique harmonic approach, and it gives the impression of mist and mystery, of the insubstantial and unearthly. This makes those songs which feature characters of the Italian commedia d'arte (Harlequin, Pierrot, Columbine, etc.) so astonishing, and his songs of the beauties of the night and the moon so very beautiful.

The songs are almost entirely of a very high standard, and show how well Debussy knew the voice. (In my opinion, he particularly knew the virtues of the typical light high French soprano voice, and I can certainly attest that the majority of his songs lie beautifully and very comfortably in the soprano coloratura voice.) Occasionally there's a song that isn't of that typical high standard (the peculiar but very early song "Rondel chinois" comes to mind - it's a lovely thing to sing, but it's not a song of any distinction), but most of these are perfect gems.

The singing on this set varies a little. On the plus side is the ever-beautiful Elly Ameling, who had perhaps the most limpidly beautiful light lyrical soprano voice the world has ever heard; the amazing Frederica von Stade, who sings divinely; Michele Command, whose more robust soprano voice is often stunning; the experienced baritone Gérard Souzay (I have to admit I do not like his voice myself - his timbre and approach are not to my taste - but he is certainly very experienced in this genre and his French is so beautiful to listen to)... and on the not-so-plus side (for me, anyway) is the coloratura soprano of Mady Mesplé. I know there are devoted fans of Ms Mesplé - I must admit I am not one of them. While I admire the glorious ease of her top notes, and the young and attractive sound of the voice's natural timbre, I LOATHE what is to me an unbearable fluttering vibrato that ruins her singing. It sounds extraordinarily under-supported and very uncomfortable - but I also admit that Ms Mesplé clearly has a deep feeling for these mélodies. She certainly knows how to phrase - and certainly the range of her voice is remarkable. If only that twitter could be magicked away... then I'd probably be very satisfied with her singing.

Overall, then, this set is a charming and well-chosen array of almost all of Debussy's vocal output. It is not complete, though. I would recommend supplementing this delightful 3CD set with the recording of Debussy songs by Sandrine Piau, the somewhat bland but extremely pretty recording of Debussy's early songs by Gillian Keith, and the recording of Debussy songs sung by Anne-Marie Rodde (again, so very pretty, and it is one of the few recordings to include Debussy's duet "Chanson espagnole" - which is otherwise represented quite hideously on a recording by a tenor and baritone).

There's also some amazingly beautiful singing of Debussy songs on an album by Christine Oelze (her timbre reminds me so much of Ameling's - just lovely, and what excellent French!).

I have not listened to Dawn Upshaw's recording of Debussy songs, as she is not one of my favourite singers, but given that I've enjoyed her French performances in the past, I do plan to add her recording entitled "Forgotten Songs" to my collection.

And with all of that lot, you, the Debussy collector, will have a truly wonderful collection of Debussy's songs to hand!

good value.......2007-01-07

Whilst this may not be the most amazing of all recordings of Debussy's works, it stands to say that it is a valuable source of listening reference for singer and indeed fans for Debussy's works. 3 discs make it a worthwhile bargain!

Very nice sellection of pieces and artists.......2006-05-01

'Melodies', a three CD collection of art songs by Claude Debussy is a far better investment than the Dawn Upshaw issue, 'Forgotten Songs' which I recently reviewed. At the very least, it seems these songs are not as forgotton as Upshaw would make us believe, as here they are on a collection headlining Elly Ameling and Frederica von Stade. I am not really up on modern classical performers, but even I know these are two major league sopranos.

If you like Debussy, you will certainly like this collection. If you are a died in the wool Upshaw fan, Miss Dawn's effort may sould a bit better to you.

I think this one definitely gives you more for the money.

Fabulous compositions, moments of great performing.......2002-08-07

This compilation is a fantastic resource for singers and colaborative pianists everywhere--and no one will argue with the beauty of Debussy's compositions.
Gerard Souzay seems like he's just going through the motions on all of his tracks; Elly Ameling has fabulous technique as always, but there is something wanting; Mady Mesple gives a great (if not heartfelt) performance. The standout performance on this disc is of the Ariettes Oubliees, as performed by Frederica von Stade. Beautiful, and the emotion is there.
I would recommend it for any singer's library. I do, however, hesitate to give it 5 stars and recommend it to everyone because the emotion just isn't there through many of the tracks--and Debussy without emotion is like bread without yeast--flat.

A Great Tribute to Debussy's Melodies.......2000-11-18

This set of cds is a must for anyone interested on performing any of Debussy's melodies. It really helps to listen to these to learn the pieces, as the singers are supurb and perform the songs with great artistic interpretation.

Average customer rating: Nice Set of Nocturnes Amazing rather devoid of emotions This CD is good. Ashkenzy?

Chopin: Nocturnes, 4 Ballades Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Nocturnes | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ashkenazy, Vladimir | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Chopin: Piano Sonatas; Etudes Chopin Polonaises Chopin: Mazurkas Chopin: Waltzes; 4 Scherzos; 26 Preludes Violin Romances ASIN: B0000041L8 Release Date: 1997-08-26

Tracks:

1. 3. Nocturnes, Op.9: I. B Flat Minor
2. 3. Nocturnes, Op.9: II. E Flat Major
3. 3. Nocturnes, Op.9: III. B Major
4. 3. Nocturnes, Op. 15: I. F Major
5. 3. Nocturnes, Op. 15: II. F Sharp Major
6. 3. Nocturnes, Op. 15: III. G Minor
7. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 27: I. C Sharp Minor
8. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 27: II. D Flat Major
9. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 32: I. B major
10. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 32: II. A Flat Major
11. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 37: I. G Minor
12. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 37: II. G Major
13. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 48: I. C Minor
14. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 48: II. F Sharp Minor

Tracks:

1. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 55: I. F Minor
2. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 55: II. E-flat major
3. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 62: I. B major
4. 2. Nocturnes, Op. 62: II. E major
5. Nocturne In E Minor, Op. 72 No. 1
6. Nocturne In C Sharp Minor
7. Nocturne In C Minor
8. Ballade No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 23
9. Ballade No. 2 In F Major, Op. 38
10. Ballade No. 3 In A-Flat Major, Op. 47
11. Ballade No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 52

Customer Reviews:

Nice Set of Nocturnes.......2005-06-26

In my opinion, Chopin's Nocturnes and Ballades are some of the most beautiful repertoire ever written for the piano, and it doesn't necessarily matter who is playing them, so long as they are Chopin. Yes, I agree that pieces can be performed badly, and this hinders their quality significantly, but anyone who is a dedicated enough musician to have been recorded is obviously capable of performing the repertoire. There is no doubt that Ashkenazy is an incredible pianist, with great technique and versatility. Anyone could nitpick about the nuances of his playing, criticizing certain aspects or welcoming others. The obvious truth is that everyone's preferences and opinions are different, and therefore, there is no way that everyone could possibly be pleased by any one object. This is why you will find various negative reviews scattered among the praise, usuallytaking a shot at Ashkenazy's "stiff" or "emotionless" interpretations.

I find that, as a whole, this set of nocturnes is one of the best available for purchase. When I say best, I mean best for the value, quality of recording, completeness, and quality of playing. There may be other performers whose recordings I like a tiny bit more on some cases (particularly the C Minor Nocturne 48/1) but that doesn't bring down the quality of this set. The facts are, Ashkenazy is a perfectionist, like any other recorded pianist, and therefore there are no mistakes in his playing, the tempi and dynamics are well-thought out, as he has studied these pieces extensively, and the emotions are as ever-present as one could hope, for Ashkenazy has been performing for many years in concert settings, and piano is obviously the focal point of his life.

This is the only set I have found available at such a price which includes the Nocturnes and Ballades. Both cd's contain over 70 minutes of material, which is incredible for the price. As I said before, the recording quality is crisp, without the crackle and pop of some earlier recordings (Rubinstein) or the heavy breathing of others (Arrau). Criticisms and qualms about individual nocturnes aside, (and they are there) this is still one of the best sets around. There are many more good things to say about Ashkenazy's playing than bad ones, in my opinion. If you are expecting these interpetations to sound overly conservative, this is not the case. Ashkenazy is infamous for being very faithful to the score, which I think is very true about these nocturnes. Where rubato is indicated, he uses rubato. Where the score says accelerando, Ashkenazy plays faster. The dynamics and tempi are usually identical to the urtext editions. In this sense, Ashkenazy is conservative, because he does not show his own artistica style possibly as much as some others, but he is very respectful of Chopin, and is most concerned with playing these pieces the way the composer intended. In my opinion, this is superemly important and commendable. This is a great package of Nocturnes and Ballades, and Ashkenazy is reknowned for a reason.

Amazing.......2005-02-26

These are great! Ashkenazy is definentley one of the great Chopin interpreters. All of the people who say that Ashkenazy has no emotion in his playing are wrong! Ashkenazy has a beautiful tone in his playing. His interpretations are also great. He is the thinking man's pianist. If you don't understand what I am saying, I am saying that he plays with perfect technique and he thinks the piece through intellegently and he dosen't go for the big flash while playing. This might be one ofthe reasons why people say he is emotionless. He still has emotion even if he dosen't do that thing where you sway while playing and you move way to much (that is a stupid thing to do because it dosen't help and it can hurt your technique while playing). The only person who has played Chopin better than Ashkenazy is Emanuel Ax (I am not saying that Rubinstein and Horowitz etc. are worse than Ashkenazy, they are just as good, but they all are different. Emanuel Ax has the most beautiful tone I have ever heard. Sadly not many Ax recordings exist anymore. Ashkenazy plays the Nocturnes beautifully especially F minor. Chopin plays the Ballades with the same beauty heard in the Nocturnes and (once again) the F minor ballade (no. 4) is one of, if not the best recording I have ever heard. So to summarize Ashkenazy does have a beautiful tone and an intellegent approach to Chopin, so this is a great buy!

rather devoid of emotions.......2002-12-15

I bought this cd last year. I heard so much about Ashkenazy, and his face is anywhere in music stores.
I think this cd is among the big disappointments I periodically listen to. To do Ashkenazy justice, I have to say there are some older recordings that I still treasure, such as the Rachmaninoff preludes, of the suites for 2 pianos of the same composer, but they are all recordings of the early 70's.

Not much, instead, I manage to treasure of this new Ashkenazy
Regarding this particular Chopin recording, consider, for example, the Prelude in C minor, op. 48 No.1. Its second part is a wild galloping towards a forseeable tragic end, but in Ashkenazy fingers it reduces to a mere pretty lyric piece. It is truly emotionless. This Chopin played by Ashkenazy sounds somewhat like Baudelaire or Apollinaire read in german with a metronome stuck in Largo. And even sober!
What is Chopin worth, I ask, when you leave all his stormy contrapunt out? The rest of the collection surely has a nice cover, but leaves me totally emotionless.

I understand that, as Arrau once said, "Chopin should be played like Mozart and Mozart like Chopin", but why can't someone play Chopin just like Chopin?

A collection that I find really giving Chopin some justice, instead, sometimes not too popular, is the one Nocturnes playes by Dame Moura Lympany, or the Etudes played by Gavrilov, tough, you understand, it can be a matter of taste.

This CD is good........2000-06-10

(I hate writing titles for these reviews.) Anyway, I couldn't disagree more with the reviewer below. Ashenazy is, next to Rubinstein, one of the best Chopin interpreters around. He is not "dry," merely subtle, suggesting rather than declaring, which is what Chopin had in mind with these mood pieces. His technique is flawless but he never flaunts it as some other pianists I have heard do. The ballades are excellent and played at perfect tempos.

Ashkenzy?.......1999-09-03

I bought this CD as a reference as I am learning Chopin's nocturnes. I don't think Ashkenazy as that great a Chopin player. He's playing is relatively dry compared to other pianists. Take Mikhail Pletnev for example. The recording isn't too good either. All in all, this is a great CD to purchase only if your budget is limited and you're not expecting to listen to this over and over again.

Average customer rating: Passionate Brahms The best performance of Gilels in his life Absolutely Wonderful Stuff clasping hands Brahms soiree

Brahms: Piano Quartet, Ballades / Amadeus Quartet Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Brahms | Brahms, Johannes | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Gilels, Emil | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Grieg: Lyric Pieces / Emil Gilels Brahms: Complete Piano Quartets Beethoven: Sonaten - Pathétique & Mondschein Beethoven: Piano Sonatas Op.101 & 106 Brahms: Concertos for Piano No. 1 & 2, Fantasia Op. 116 ASIN: B000001GQ4 Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

1. Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor, OP.25: 1. Allegro
2. Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor, OP.25: 2. Allegro ma non troppo
3. Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor, OP.25: 3. Andante con moto
4. Piano Quartet No.1 in G Minor, OP.25: 4. Rondo alla Zingarese: Presto
5. Ballades, Op.10: 1. Andante - Allegro - Andante
6. Ballades, Op.10: 2. Andante - Allegro non troppo - Molto staccato e leggiero - Andante
7. Ballades, Op.10: 3. Intermezzo. Allegro
8. Ballades, Op.10: 4.Andante con moto

Amazon.com

Back in those awful days before recordings, there was an entire industry devoted to making chamber reductions of large orchestral pieces, because if you wanted to hear the latest symphony, you had to play it yourself at home. Recordings changed all that, and now we have just the opposite: a trend towards playing chamber music in arrangements for large orchestra. Many listeners, then, may be familiar with this piano quartet from Schoenberg's wacky orchestral transcription, which features all kinds of instruments (like xylophone and celesta) that would have given Brahms a heart attack. In any case, here's an excellent performance of the original work, and it's really fun to listen to both versions. Check them out and see what you think. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Passionate Brahms.......2007-02-13

This recording of Brahms's G minor Piano Quartet, the most celebrated of his three works in the genre, is absolutely spectacular. Rarely does such passion from all members of a group come through so clearly and beautifully as it does in this disc. Every bar, every phrase has real character, though never exaggerated or artificial. The slow movement is as tender as one could hope for; the last movement every bit as fleeting and brazen as any work I have ever heard recorded. There is no doubt Mr. Gilels is one of history's great Brahmsians; the Amadeus, though not as celebrated for Brahms as others, here matches Gilels's spirit. This recording is not sentimental and not overly sensitive. It is, however, genuine, heartfelt, and, to my mind, certainly the finest available of this work. The Ballades, op. 10 provide a wonderful filler.

The best performance of Gilels in his life.......2004-05-07

First at all. I've always thought that Gilels is a superb musician altough something cold to my taste.

His readings of Rachmaninov lack that humanism that should be in your mind your soul and your fingers when you play that romantic composer.

I make this previous statement because when I decided to acquire this record in those Lp's days , in 1980., I did it because the two only references that I knew still didn't fill my requests.
So it happened the incredible. What happened in that recording evening? I don't know but Gilels was enraptured and possesed by Dionsyan inspiration and The Amadeus quartet in their best.

The result was an amazing performing, from the first bar to the last one. Every note is played with a comittment like the same Casals would have been present in the recording studio. What kind of playing! Personally I think this is the definitive version of this quartet op. 25.

Don't think I've tried. I tried with Serkin-Bush, I've bought Edwin Fisher and I found in New York Badura Skoda Janigro Fournier and all those recordings were well made but without enthusiasm and even an atom of sparkling light.

Many people don't seem understand that Brahms' shyness and all those comentaries about his craft , would make him the first on the line in Beethoven's heritage in his time.

For me, (and this is a personal consideration), Brahms suffered a personal crisis knowing the huge responsability upon his shoulders when he presented his first Symphony. And the fact that seems prove this statement is that the first symphony is Op.48.

This long speech allows me conclude that in the chamber music's mood he seemed to feel less presure and he , in certain way he felt with a major liberty to compose. Remeber also that the chamber music was a more intimate music and not for all the great audiences.

In this sense, even to understand the musical language of Johannes Brahms, please go and listen first all his chamber music. You'll find such kind of hidden treasures such the clarinet's quintets and his two strings quintets, for example, and then go for meeting the symphonic Brahms.

And if you had some doubt about the quality and great musicality of this genere in Brahm's music, go and explore how much of his music was played by Casals in Prades. Doesn'it tell you anything?
Back to the quartet op. 25, you'll find a young Brahms, in the peak of his craft.

And consider this recordings among the best performers of this important sign Deutsche Grampohone.

The sound in CD is fabolous.

Don't miss that version for any reason. It's essential for you to have it in your personal collection.

And then you 'll forget the others versions you had before.

Believe me.

Absolutely Wonderful Stuff.......2002-07-06

This recording of the Piano Quartet Opus 25 is one of the best. Full of vigor, passion, and power. The piano and strings are matched in their conception of a big tone even in the quiet passages. You can hear many different interpretations of this work, but I don't know of any that are actually better. This is one of my favorites, but I admit to being a Gilels fan and biased towards anything he ever did.

The Opus 10 Ballades are youthful works that fans of Brahms always love and young pianists love to learn. Well, this recording of these pieces will give them a great model to shoot for.

The recording sounds great and is definitely worth owning.

clasping hands.......2001-05-21

This performance of Johannes Brahms' (1833-1897) Klavierquartett Nr. 1 is among my favourite. With equal proficiency, Mr Emil Gilels (1916-1985) and the Amadeus Quartet express both the power and delicacy of this complex piece. From a technical perspective, I don't know what separates this from other recordings. When I listen to this, though, I am enthralled by the range of emotions. The notes by Mr Peter Cossé explain the importance of Deutsche Grammophon's signing of the Russian pianist during the Cold War. "In those days, in the late '60s and early '70s, a contract between an artist from the Soviet Union and a Western label was a sensational event in cultural diplomacy" Perhaps it is this cultural significance which inspired the performers. If you are interested in "one of the most significant pianists of the 20th century", in chambre music by one of the most significant composers of the 19th century, or in romantic music played extremely well, this CD will interest you.

Brahms soiree.......2000-12-30

This writer would have to confess a certain lack of objectivity as far as Emil Gilels is concerned . Indeed , Gilels was the first great musician he ever heard and the pianist's rendition of Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata left an unforgettable impression . However , it seems indisputable that Gilels' contribution to the G Minor Quartet is distinguished and members of the Amadeus Quartet respond with eloquent , comitted playing . The 4 Ballades are simply among the indispensible classical recordings of the 20th century .

Average customer rating: Not my cup of tea. Love it! Can it get any better than this...? Great work, but could go little further A very personal approach, but the competiiton is fierce

Chopin: 4 Ballades/Barcarolle, Op.60/Fantasie in F Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Zimerman, Krystian | ( Z ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 Liszt: Sonata for piano in Bm; Lugubre Gondola No1&2 Claude Debussy: Préludes Chopin: 4 Ballades, 4 Scherzi / Ashkenazy Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2 ASIN: B000001G8Q Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Balladen: No.1 in g, op.23
2. 4 Balladen - Ballades - Ballate: No 2 F-dur Op. 38
3. 4 Balladen - Ballades - Ballate: No. 3 As-dur Op. 47
4. 4 Balladen - Ballades - Ballate: No. 4 f-moll Op. 52
5. 4 Balladen - Ballades - Ballate: Barcarolle Fis-dur Op. 60
6. 4 Balladen - Ballades - Ballate: Fantasie f-moll Op. 49

Amazon.com

Krystian Zimerman's Chopin is big. He plays this music with a great dynamic range and huge contrasts, with little of the shading we love in Rubinstein's Chopin. Except for the Barcarolle, these are pretty big pieces, so Zimerman doesn't exactly overwhelm the music. It's just very 20th- century Chopin, not on the composer's original scale, but not badly done either. I think this disc would sound a lot better in a large listening room than in a small one, however (or in your car). The recording is too close up; we could have used more distance from the piano. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Not my cup of tea........2007-05-30

I am not a great enthusiast of Chopin, but consider his Ballades the best of his compositions both in depth of emotions and lyricism.
Hence I am a rather keen listener of this category of Chopin. I bought Mr. Zimmerman's disc with high hopes, being Chopin Ballades played by a Polish pianist that is both young (1990 recorded) and eminent.
However, I must admit that I did not enjoy this disc.
The playing isn't bad at all, but it is a matter of taste.
The ballades are too straightforward in emotions. The Barcarolle hardly sounds like one such - Argerich had a much much finer rendition of the same piece, much more moving and vivid.
However, I think with maturity and time, Mr. Zimmerman would be able to come up with a newer and more profound version of the same pieces.
I look forward to it.

Love it!.......2006-04-04

As explained in the brief but adequate notes accompanying this recording, the term "ballade" also suggests some poetry and this is 'reading' proves it. I LOVE the way that Zimerman pours over these pieces...like the delicate but vivid watercolours that I envision them to be! The rubato is to die for and the piano, while close, is full and warm. Only by way of comparison, while I'm also a fan of Ashkenazy's interpretations, his piano has a metallic ring that is absent from say Zimerman and Pollini recordings. But back to the present set, in particular the Ballade No. 4 f-moll op. 52 is a lover's caress....languid but never lazy.

I have searched for exactly this interpretation. Not to everyone's taste maybe but after the unrushed but pristine brilliance of Pollini's Ballades, this is the PERFECT counterpoint. My Chopin Ballades are now complete.

Can it get any better than this...?.......2006-02-16

I absolutely LOVE this cd, it is definitely one of my "desert island" discs. For this recording Zimerman again used his own Steinway, which has such a great, warm sound.
Some may find his tempi on the slow side, but that's more a question of personal taste. However, I can hardly think of a better, more beautiful way to play the 4th ballade, it's absolutely stunning, what a sound, what a music! I've heard it better maybe once, by Zimerman live in concert in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Great work, but could go little further.......2005-11-27

Zimerman's rendition of the Chopin Ballades are well crafted and probing. However, he could vary his style and phrasing a bit. For example, the G minor's entrance could use some more color and momentum (his is as slow is it gets). The F minor and Fantasie are also static during the beginning. I agree with Mr. Gabrowski that Ivan Moravec's recording is more compelling and spontaneous. Fortuanately, DG's digital sonics compell me to listen to this recording every once in a while.

A very personal approach, but the competiiton is fierce.......2005-11-01

Zimerman is Polish, a Chopin specialist of note, and a sometime conductor who founded an orchestra named after his immortal countryman. But this set of Ballades is exactly as reviewer John Grabowski says, a bit too tame and literal.

I have no idea where the official Amazon reviewer is coming from--Zimerman doesn't play the Ballades as big pieces (go to Kissin and Pollini for that), and as for being far away from Rubenstein's style, Zimerman's stiffness and dryness often remind me of Rubenstein. In fact he avoids much of the drama and passion in these great works. As to tempi, Zimerman is a minute slower than Pollini in the first three Ballades, two minutes slower in the Fourth Ballade and the F minor Fantasy. But that still puts him in the same range as Kissin and many others.

There's a lot of clipped, terse playing here, but also a lot of arbitrary pauses for effect, and Zimerman imposes his own temperament in terms of rubato and phrasing. The result is more than a bit calculated. I realize that there are those who love Zimerman as much as I love Pollini, but overall this isn't a Chopin CD I treasure.

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