Title : Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos.1 & 2
Author : Chopin, Fryderyk
Release Date : 19900330
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $11.98
Amazon.com Price : $9.94
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Editorial Reviews : I suppose if I had to choose a single recording coupling both of Chopin's concertos, it would be this one. Perahia is a sensitive, extremely persuasive artist who understands his own particular gifts better than anyone. He's not a muscle-bound virtuoso by any means--neither was Chopin, for that matter. All of Perahia's interpretations are finely graded, carefully prepared, and sensitive to the music's every nuance, but they never sound stiff or studied. In fact, his natural eloquence and grace at the keyboard makes him an ideal Chopin pianist, though he has been very selective in the music that he has actually recorded. Here then is a superb example of artist and composer in perfect harmony with one another. --David Hurwitz
Buyer Reviews : Murray Perahia's elegant playing still stands out in a crowded field of excellent recent recordings of Chopin's piano concerti. It's still one of the best currently available, even with excellent alternatives from the likes of Argerich and Zimerman. Perahia is truly a keyboard poet; his playing filled with much warmth and empathy for Chopin's scores. He is blessed in having Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic as splendid accompanists (Indeed, this may be the finest recording I have heard from either Mehta or the Israel Philharmonic.). Regrettably, Mehta's skills at the podium have been dismissed by many, yet he turns in vibrant, superb interpretations of Chopin's scores in these live performances. Sony's - or rather CBS' - sound engineers did a great job recording both concerti; the sound quality is remarkably excellent for an early live digital recording. The Penguin Guide to Classical Music CDs still rates this recording as one of the finest of these concerti; after you purchase this CD I think you'll agree.
