Chopin: 4 Ballades; Fantaisie, Op. 49; Prelude, Op. 45
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CD Details
Composer: Frederic ChopinPerformer: Maurizio Pollini
Edition: Music CD
CD Release Date: 1999-10-05
Music Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Soundtracks:
- Ballade No.1 In G Minor Op.23: Largo - Moderato - Presto con fuoco
- Ballade No.2 In F Major Op.38: Andantino - Presto con fuoco - Agitato - Tempo I
- Ballade No.3 In A Flat Major Op.47: Allegretto
- Ballade No.4 In F Minor Op.52: Andante con moto
- Prelude In C Sharp Minor Op.45: Sostenuto
- Fantasie In F Minor Op.49: Marcia. Grave
Music reviews of Chopin: 4 Ballades; Fantaisie, Op. 49; Prelude, Op. 45
Music Review: Pollini plays Chopin Ballades
Rating: 4 Stars
I think many reviewers are being abit too tough on Pollini. One must remember that he is one of the greatest pianists ever and an extraordinary intellect. All of us Chopin fans have been looking for the "definitive" interpretation all our lives. His music is so rich, diverse and complicated that it's prone to many points of view. That's one of the reasons why his music is still popular today.
Regarding the Ballades, these are some of Chopin's most important and influential works. Like everything else he composed they have a uniqueness and originality that has never been duplicated. And, some great composers and musicians have tried, but failed to so.
For the Ballade Op 23 I think Pollini's reading is comparable to Davidovich, Michelangeli and Rubinstein, who I consider to be the best.
In the Second Ballade Op 38 Pollini has no equal. The reprise of the Secondary theme and the Coda of panic and hysteria leading to complete annihilation is conveyed with unprecedented ferocity and power. Ivan Moravec and Krystian Zimerman are awesome, but Pollini has them beat.
The Ballade Op 47, in my humble opinion one of the most fascinating pieces ever written, Pollini is weakest. He takes the closing theme much too fast for my taste. But, he's a genius; and I'm an aspirant dilettante. I prefer Arrau, Entremont and Davidvoich here.
In the Ballade Op 52, one of the landmarks of musical creativity, Pollini is absolutely awesome. He hits the heights he reached in the finale of the Beethoven Appassionata Sonata. In both codas he projects a massive sense of apocalypse. Only Moravec comes close.
Regarding the Fantaisie Op 49, which Pollini is again quick, he's right on the mark. This is one of the best recordings of this grand work. Arrau and Rubinstein are also wonderful.
Overall, I believe that Pollini's recording of the ballades belongs in every Chopin devotee's home.
Description of Chopin: 4 Ballades; Fantaisie, Op. 49; Prelude, Op. 45
This disc is typical of Pollini's Chopin playing. There is always feeling in the music, and it is consistently expressive, in Pollini's patrician way. But if you want to hear a pianist getting his hands dirty in this music, this is definitely not the disc for you. Pollini's poetry is always refined; even his stormy outbursts are elegant. Although the Fantasie seems underpowered--and Pollini, with his extraordinary technique, still takes an unwritten extra beat for comfort when he has to skip from the top of the keyboard to the bottom--the remaining performances are extraordinary enough in their way to be well worth hearing, providing their own unique perspective on Chopin. Just don't expect the passion of Rubinstein. At 48:16, this is quite short measure for a contemporary full-price CD. --Leslie GerberGeneral CDs
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