Search - Chopin, Romero :: Complete Impromptus & Other Works

Chopin played with uncommon poise and clarity of line

Dan Fee | Berkeley, CA USA | 08/14/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thank goodness our larger metro area has several thriving used CD stores, else I would never had stumbled into this guy and his playing. Gustavo Romero is apparently a graduate of the Juillard School in the U.S.A., and also a past winner of the Clara Haskil prize. Unlike many Chopinistes, he aims for more than just the whiz-bang, fire-fingered drama that Chopin undoubtedly wrote into most, if not all of his solo piano music. Like the great namesake whose competition jury awarded him first prize, Mr. Romero seems able to bring an uncommon sense of poise and clarity to his Chopin. Yet he does not neglect the obvious drama of the narration, nor flatten the contrasts built into the line, the textures, and the musical forms (typically ABA). On first hearing, compared to the Lisztian wannabees, his playing of Chopin might almost seem too quiet, too diffidant. Closer acquaintance ... and I have played this CD repeatedly, both just for myself, and also for other people ... reveals that Mr. Romero knows exactly what he is doing. Yes, the Impromptus are all nicely done. But, for me, the real jewels of this collection include the rarely played Barcarolle, and the two scherzos. Yes, I said: two scherzos. Only one is listed on the cover/booklet; but unless my ears deceive me, Mr. Romero is actually playing two. The Barcarolle is a difficult piece to bring off, not least because it demands every bit of touch and tonal color possible, while only allowing it's pianist to revel in the soundworlds that genius may discover in the quieter ranges of the keyboard's spectrum. Although it can rise to climactic swells, the rolling rhythms of the Barcarolle need to be consistently subtilized, and the harmony sublimated, lest this or that wave of sound overturn the (presumably Venetian) boat. Finally, who can successfully project this masterpiece of sparkling color, played in the characteristically huge recital halls we build today? Do not fear. All this, and more, Mr. Romero achieves, ever so deftly. But all the technical aplomb of his abilities to play soft and fast, as well as slowly and loud, would be nothing, if not for his truly magical ways with Chopin's musical line and the progress of the harmonies. It is easy to reduce this kind of recital program to either flash, or background music. Mr. Romero manages to command and compell our attention, avoiding both traps. His sense of musical line always starts and ends somewhere, while something dramatic or poignant or simply enchanting happens as that line moves and breathes and dances, often hovering in blessed partnership with and above the changing harmony, thanks not a little to the rubato through which Mr. Romero is letting his Chopin breathe. In and out. Listening to this performance, repeatedly listening ... will probably have you re-thinking your opinions of Chopin. He is almost universally acknowledged as one of the great masters of piano music; but in Mr. Romero's special way he is revealed as one of the great masters of music, period. Clara Haskil would be pleased, I think. And, in any case, I am pleased ... definitely ... to be able to spin this beauty, any time I'm taken by the notion. Highly recommended."

Romero's Chopin: regal poise, clarity of line, limpid tone

Dan Fee | Berkeley, CA USA | 08/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thank goodness our metro area has several thriving used CD stores, else I would never have stumbled onto this guy and his playing. Gustavo Romero is apparently a graduate of the Julliard School in New York City. He is also a past winner of the Clara Haskil prize. Like that competition?s namesake, Mr. Romero brings an uncommon sense of poise and clarity to his Chopin. Nor does he neglect the drama of the narration, nor flatten the contrasts built into the line, or the musical textures and the forms (typically ABA). On first hearing, his playing of Chopin might almost seem too quiet, too diffident, too fluent. Closer acquaintance ... and I have played this CD repeatedly, both just for myself, and also for other people ... reveals that Mr. Romero is quite special. Consider the real jewels of this collection: the rarely-played Barcarolle, and the two scherzos, and the grandly dramatic polonaise. Yes, I said: two scherzos. Only one is listed on the cover/booklet; but unless my ears deceive me, Mr. Romero is actually playing two. The Barcarolle is difficult music to bring off. It's hero has to reveal that genius which abides in the quieter ranges of the keyboard's voice. Yes, the Barcarolle rises to a high, singing climax, but you must start off softly, and somehow sustain that sense of intimate disclosure. The rolling barcarolle rhythms are almost constantly repeated in the left hand and too quickly go lumpen if all you are playing is the notes. The Barcarolle needs to be subtle, raptly still yet oscillating. He truly has magical ways with Chopin's musical line and harmonies. This kind of Chopin recital program easily reduces, to either flash or background music. Mr. Romero manages to command and compel our full attention, avoiding all pitfalls. His musical line always starts and ends somewhere. Something dramatic or poignant or simply enchanting happens in between as that bel canto line moves and breathes and dances. Those ever-fresh bel canto melodies have their unique ways of hovering in blissful communion, with and above the harmony. This magic is thanks, not a little, to the rubato through which Mr. Romero is letting his Chopin breathe. Furthermore, while most intelligent pianists can find some rubato within the phrase, Mr. Romero is able to indicate rubato between and among the phrases. Even further, on more than one occasion in this stunning recital, he seems to be able to indicate a sense of rubato between shifts in basic tempo, as Chopin closes off one paragraph and begins yet another. Clara Haskil would be pleased, I think. In any case, I am very pleased. Highly recommended."

Rare Talent - Great Performance

K. McLaren | USA | 02/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Gustavo Romero must surely be one of the great underrated Chopin performers of our time. The amazing prestidigitation is impressive in itself, but the ability to phrase and shape without impacting the virtuosity, is a rare gift. Each work is a precious jewel and should be treasured for itself. This is one of those recordings that when asked which piece is your favorite, the answer must surely be, "The one I am listening to at the moment."



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