Message from Dean - May 8th 2007
I am currently testing out a new version of the APF Bridge Component - If you notice any errors within this demo store please drop me a line.
List Price: $16.98Amazon.com's Price: $14.99 You Save: $1.99 (12%)Prices subject to change.
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping.
Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0028947780465
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
MPN: 001193902
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Deutsche Grammophon
Release Date: October 14, 2008
Studio: Deutsche Grammophon
Disc 1:- Ballade no. 2 in F, op. 38
- Mazurka in G sharp minor, op. 33 no. 1
- Mazurka in D major, op. 33 no. 2
- Mazurka in C major, op 33 no. 3
- Mazurka in B minor, op. 33 no. 4
- Waltz in A flat major, op. 34 no. 1
- Waltz in A minor, op. 34 no. 2
- Waltz in F major, op. 34 no. 3
- Impromptu no. 2 in F sharp, op. 36Piano Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 35
- I. Grave--Doppio movimento
- II. Scherzo--Più lento--Tempo I
- III. Marche funèbre (Lento)
- IV. Finale (Presto)
Related Items:
Browse for similar items by category:
Editorial Review:
Album Description:
Maurizio Pollini, one of today's most exceptional pianists, began his musical career by winning the Chopin competition in 1960. Since then, the works of Chopin have held a pre-eminent place in his performances and recordings. Following up on the success of his release of Chopin Nocturnes in 2005, Pollini now records an all-new recital of Chopin masterpieces. He has re-recorded the famous Sonata no. 2 in B flat minor, op. 35 (recorded in 1984 and released in 1986) and the Ballade no. 2 in F, op. 38 (recorded and released in 1999) and added the Mazurkas op. 33, Waltzes op. 34 and Impromptu no. 2 in F sharp major, op. 36. All of these works were composed in a relatively late phase of Chopin's career and display the great variety of his art. With Pollini recording Chopin, one of classical music's most popular composers, this release will appeal to both classical music lovers and a wider audience.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
What can one say about Pollini at this point? Once again he delivers careful, intelligent performances that somehow come across as impersonal and unpoetic. The "meaning" of a piece of music may be a subjective matter, but the issue does not seem to have crossed his mind. One suspects that he (and fellow modernists like Boulez) might be derisive of the whole idea.
But the real problem with this recording is the sound engineering - distant and shallow, seriously lacking in bass response. As a master of the instrument, Pollini deserves better.
Rating: -
Since I'm heartily sick of arguing over whether Pollini is clinical, cold, and aloof, I'll address this review to converts. The works at hand are relatively late in Chopin's career, all composed between 1834 and 1839. The two major works are return engagements for Pollini, since he recorded the "Funeral March" Sonata in 1984 and Ballade #2 in 1999. When an eminent musician comes back to familiar works he has played almost continuously for forty years, something intriguing is in the offing.
Or so I supposed. The Ballade begins with a poker face and little flavor or nuance -- it strikes me, almost for the first time in Pollini's Chopin, as aloof. It took a while to adjust to the change in his manner. He describes it as being more free, and that should be good -- freedom of expression marks the greatest interpreters. Sadly, I hear something else, a certain boredom or over-familiarity that has made Pollini allmost perfunctory. The Op. 33 Mazurkas are difficult to bring off, being ... Read More
Rating:  -
Pollini plays Chopin Opp 33- 36 & 38
Maurizio Pollini is not only a great virtuoso, but also a brilliant musical mind. His recordings of Chopin's etudes and preludes from the 1970's remain the ne plus ultra in the recorded literature. Prior to this recording, Pollini released the Chopin Nocturnes. His vision of these night pieces was surprisingly more clinical than any others I have heard. Many nocturnes such as the Op 9 n 3, Op 15 n 2, Op 32 n 2, Op 48 n 1 & 2 , Op 55 n 1 survived this approach. Others such as the Op 9 n 1 & 2, Op 27 n 2, Op 37 n 1, Op 55 n 2 and Op 62 n 1 & 2 seemed to devolve into etudes.
It's not for me to criticize Pollini. I'm humbly offering my opinion for other listeners who hold Chopin's creations in higher esteem than any one performance or performer. With that said, let's proceed to his most recent CD.
As far as the mazurkas of Op 33 are concerned, I liked Pollini's direct approach. Missing in these performances were the rubato and ... Read More
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
|
Amazon Store 