Frederic Chopin Leif Ove Andsnes - Chopin The Piano Sonatas 5 Etudes 4 Mazurkas (21 tracks) +Album Reviews

Wonderful and spacious playing

Mike C | Richardson, TX USA | 01/29/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first part of this recording (and the first playing I had heard Andsnes do) that I heard was the third sonata, a piece that has had a lot of recordings by the great pianists through the years. What struck me were two things: a sense of spaciousness, letting the music and the phrases "breathe", and, along with that, a sense of proportion. Andsnes, here and in other recordings I have heard of his, has the guts to _not_ show off, (although, clearly, he has the fingers to do so) but, more than any other Chopin pianist I have ever heard (with the exception of Moravec), somehow illuminates Chopin's phrasing in the most natural way. Highly recommended, along with other Andsnes recordings, particularly his Schumann - I would love to hear him record the complete works of Schumann, because it could well be a definitive set."

Splendid Interpretation of Chopin by a Gifted Young Pianist

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 08/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This wonderful two CD set was my initial introduction to Leif Ove Andsnes' playing. It is a splendid surprise, indeed. He shows much empathy for Chopin's music, playing with ample warmth, brilliance and formidable technique. Indeed, his playing is more polished than that of Argerich's in the Chopin piano sonatas. Andesnes must be regarded as one of our foremost interpreters of Chopin. I eagerly await any future recordings by him of Chopin's other works for the piano, especially the concerti. Needless to say, the sound quality is first rate. Without question, this two CD set is one worth owning at its bargain price."

Wonderful, straightforward performances

piano teacher | 08/15/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was the first Andsnes recording I purchased. I was in Norway when I saw part of a documentary/news program on this young Norwegian pianist. He performed one of the Chopin etudes from this recording and I was seriously impressed with his flawless technique, seamless phrasing, rich tone, and straightforward interpretation. I bought this CD shortly after I saw the television program, and 14 years later I still refer back to his performances of the Chopin sonatas, which are filled with excitement, intensity, and expression. This is a great set to own. I love letting my piano students listen to it because the playing isn't overly sentimental, or filled with strange rubato like many other Chopin recordings. A really fine recording. Highly recommended."

Beautiful work

Vicki Licata | Northvale, NJ United States | 05/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For those of us who aren't avid classical music listeners, this CD is exceptionally enjoyable. Purchased for "background" music, I was really surprised when I found myself stopping to sit down and listen to the cd, eyes closed and absorbing the energy! The album is surprisingly rich and full even though it is a solo performance. I would recommend it to anyone who likes classical piano. I purchased the cd because I've enjoyed playing Chopin's pieces as a novice pianist. Leif Ove Andsnes does the music justice. Enjoy!"

Valuable but Largely Unmemorable

C. Pontus T. | SE/Asia | 09/28/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Andsnes's Chopin Sonatas set certainly presents quite excellent value in its latest Virgin double format. As is normally the case with Andsnes, he is capable and professional; however, he is seldom excellent or particularly memorable. The whole second disc--with the Second Sonata, Op 17 Mazurkas and selected Etudes--falls neatly into this category.

The good news: The first disc fares comparatively better, with a rather excellent First Sonata--far superior to Biret, perfectly equal to Ashkenazy, yielding only to Ohlsson. The Third Sonata gets a solid first movement, an impressive Scherzo with well-lubricated runs, a well-balanced and adequately handsome Largo, and a sufficiently vigorous Finale.

The bad news, thus, chiefly concerns the second disc, where the Second Sonata is not particularly revolutionary-sounding, the Mazurkas not overly dancelike, and the Etudes not very vivacious. In other words, what is missing from Andsnes's Chopin playing is that bel canto beauty of tone and legato phrasing--i.e. what makes up memorable Chopin playing, combined with intrinsically derived verve and energy. Hence, the reason why the likes of Ohlsson, Argerich and Rubinstein remain elusive benchmarks for today's younger generation pianists. In the three Sonatas, Ohlsson's coupling is unsurpassed (Garrick Ohlsson - The Complete Chopin Piano Works Vol. 1 ~ Sonatas).

The Snape Maltings recording is extremely natural and lifelike, indeed in the demonstration bracket. Weird it is, but it seems this venue, with apparently perfect acoustics, gets the very best out of the engineers, irrespective of label--cf. Demidenko's Liszt Sonata disc (Hyperion) and Lortie's complete Ravel piano music (Chandos)."

Search - Frederic Chopin, Leif Ove Andsnes :: Chopin: The Piano Sonatas, 5 Etudes, 4 Mazurkas

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