Chopin: 4 Ballades / Perahia

Editorial Reviews
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

Tracks:

Ballade No.1 In G Minor, Op.23
Ballade No.2 In A Minor, Op.38
Ballade No.3 In A-Flat Major, Op.47
Ballade No.4 In F Minor, Op.52
Grande Valse Brillante In E - Flat Major, Op. 18
Grande Valse In A - Flat Major, Op. 42
Nocturne In F Major, Op. 15 No. 1
Mazurka In A Minor, Op. 17 No. 4
Mazurka In A Minor, Op. 17 No. 4
Mazurka In D Major, Op. 33 No. 2
Etude In E Major, Op. 10 No. 3
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.

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