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US Mall 1 - Chopin: Préludes & Nocturnes
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List Price: $11.98
Our Price: $7.69
Your Save: $ 4.29 ( 36% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
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Average Customer Rating: 
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0724358650723
Label: EMI Classics
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
Number Of Discs: 2
Publisher: EMI Classics
Release Date: 2005-05-24
Studio: EMI Classics
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Highly Recommendable First Ohlsson Versions
Comment: Four years after his Warsaw triumph, Garrick Ohlsson recorded his first complete set of Chopin Preludes for EMI. Acknowledging it is not quite up to the level of mastery he attained some 15 years later in his reference complete Chopin survey for Arabesque Recordings, it still stands out as one of the more successful Op 28 Preludes renditions.
Starting off a bit square in the first seven Preludes (the A minor being unusually tedious), things really take wing in the F-sharp minor (in fact slightly preferable in passion to the remake); the F-sharp major, D-flat major and A-flat major more than only hint at the celestial beauty of the 1989 remakes; the C-sharp minor, E-flat minor, B-flat minor, F minor, G minor and D minor Preludes more than hold their own against vastly more celebrated versions.
If there is something in particular to treasure with this generously inexpensive twofer, it has been neatly summarised by the Loves Music reviewer as 'beautiful performances [...] in a straightforward manner'. Perhaps, this is even more true for Ohlsson's first complete 1977-9 Nocturnes survey. Even if not being as deeply searching and endlessly beautiful as the 1994 remake, his first survey gets quite far--indeed a great deal farther than such ridiculously overrated versions as Pires and Pollini. There are some rather marvelous performances to be pointed out: a sparkling Op 9/3, a masterly Op 27/1, true bel canto Op 48/2, a benchmark Op 55/2 (this tricky polyphonic masterpiece is an Ohlsson specialty, only bettered in his 1994 remake), and a gorgeous Op 62/1. Less successful are the rushed Op 27/2, the slightly monotonous Opp 32 & 37, whereas Op 48/1 is rushed and forced completely out of shape (though, his remake of this masterpiece more than makes up for this initial failure).
The Preludes are recorded on a Steinway to normally good Abbey Road standards, whereas the Nocturnes are played on a Bösendorfer. Many labels have attempted to record Bösendorfer grands, unfortunately seldom with complete success--Ohlsson's complete Chopin cycle on Arabesque Recordings being the outstanding exception. This EMI attempt succeeds reasonably well in the areas of balance and naturalness, though failing in terms of atmosphere and brilliance. Consequently, at less than $10, this 2-CD is highly recommendable--although, irrespective of price, the Arabesque remakes are indispensable (Garrick Ohlsson: The Complete Chopin Piano Works Vol. 2 - Preludes, Garrick Ohlsson - The Complete Chopin Piano Works Vol. 6 ~ Nocturnes).
Customer Rating:
Summary: Great Music
Comment: You don't have to be a musical professional to appreciate this CD. I have some orchestral experience and taste, but I wanted some relaxing piano music to listen to when I want to mellow out or sit down and do homework. This Chopin album is perfect for that. It's great to listen to whether you're doing homework, reading, or trying to take a nap. If you have the ear to appreciate the musical talent of the album you will also not be disappointed. This is classical music we all can enjoy at a decent price.
Customer Rating:
Summary: great recording
Comment: I like very much the way Garrick Ohlsson plays Chopin. I am usually very picky about artist playing Chopin, not every of them can get the proper "Polish" sound. Ohlsson does it right.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Wonderful
Comment: Ohlsson is so technically gifted. Yet, he keeps himself under control with his really beautiful rendition of these most gentle of Chopin's work. He doesn't fool around with tempos either, as so many other pianists (Pollini et. al.) tend to do with Chopin to bring out the emotion. Ohlsson realizes that the work of Chopin is inherently emotional enough as it is, and needs no help. He just plays in a straighforward workman-like manner. As they say: "Play Mozart like Chopin, and Chopin like Mozart". That's what he does, and the effect is mesmerizing.
Having said that he plays in a straightforward manner ... what's with that little flourish in the 15th Prelude? I don't know that it's written that way, but it sounds good nevertheless.
A great record -- beautiful performances of dreamy compositions. You can't go wrong with this one.
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