Search - Frederic Chopin, Martha Argerich :: Chopin: Préludes; Piano Sonata No. 2 [Argentina]

Passion !

Renato Minamisava | São Paulo, Brazil | 01/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Well, Argerich is a legendary pianist and this CD show us why: technique and passion. The preludes are fantastic: I couldn't breathe. Her version of Op.35 is not my first choice (Have you already listened Askhenazy?) but this is personal. Recording 1975/1977."

The Preludes are on DG's 111 Special Release.

A. F. S. Mui | HK | 02/24/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This 'original' series of Argerich's Chopin Preludes coupled with her lessor well-known No. 2 Sonata.

Of all Chopin interpretors, Argerich is the out and out 'Latin' persona. She commands true technical prowess and stunning energy. In terms of explosiveness in touching, she is perhaps second to none but Sviastoslav Richter. This aspect serves her well in the outer movements of the No. 2 Sonata, but taken as a whole, her rendition is less structurally balanced or musically nuanced than either Rubinstein or Pollini's.

The Preludes of Argerich have been chosen for DG's 111 Commemorative release. Argerich's passion and high energy serve these pieces less well than in some other Chopin's works, given that the Preludes as a whole are one single poetic statement highly demanding in tone shadings as well as beauty and great clarity of articulation. It is in the latter aspect that Argerich's suffers a considerable handicap when compared with, say, Pollini's. Though highly charged with passion, these works also demand a degree of introspection as well as sharp tonal contrasts. Perhaps a slight inclination of over impetuosity is present in Argerich's interpretation, but at the end of the day, it would most likely boil down to a matter of taste."