Search - Chopin :: Best of

An excellent collection

michael | 07/16/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD actually changed my life. I picked it up in a bargain bin for a couple bucks maybe 10-12 years ago. Until then, I had never heard any Chopin, and I was just curious. I had been playing piano for about 5 years, but had stopped out of boredom. It had always been sort of a novelty, something like learning a card trick. I didn't see any point of continuing. At that time in my life, I was also quite depressed and didn't see the point of doing much of anything. However, from the first time I listened to this CD, something happened. I saw immediately how beautiful a solo piano could be, and how much it could convey a mood or an emotion. Later, I found out how satisfying it could be to play one of these pieces. This CD sparked a life-long love of the piano in me.



I have a number of Chopin samplers now, but this one will always be my favorite. Realistically, any one is just about as good as any other, but I think this CD presents a thoughtfully-compiled collection. Most compilations include the Minute Waltz (not a personal favorite), and usually the 1st Ballade instead of the 4th. The G minor Ballade is admittedly a beautiful piece, but it's nothing compared to the sublime F minor Ballade, arguably the best piano piece ever written.



This CD probably won't change your life, but I thought I would at least share my story."