Chopin: Études, Opp. 10 & 25 [Extra tracks, Original recording remastered]

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Murray Perahia (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Murray Perahia
• Composer: Frederic Chopin
• Audio CD (July 27, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Original recording remastered
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0002J58V0
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #122,307 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #93 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Etudes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling Chopin from Perahia, January 27, 2008

By 

Mark Hennicke (A stone's throw from Carnegie Hall) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chopin: Études, Opp. 10 & 25 (Audio CD)

The Seattle Times has stated that pianist Murray Perahia has the "soul of a poet, the mind of a thinker, the hands of a virtuoso..." While he has always been granted an abundance poetry & thoughtfulness concerning the depth of his interpretations at the keyboard, the sheer virtuosity of his technique does not as often get the credit that it deserves. On this Masterworks Expanded Edition of the Chopin Op.10 & Op.25 Etudes, sparks are flying about everywhere, showing the full range of Perahia's technical chops. I had the good fortune of hearing Perahia play the Op.25,#1 & the Op.10,#4 at his return recital at Carnegie Hall this past November. He was brilliant that evening, and he is brilliant here on this Direct Stream Digital Remastered cd. These are among Murray Perahia's finest Chopin performances to date. Now offered with a generous bonus sampling of Chopin Impromtus from earlier Perahia releases, this cd is a top level choice ( and a Grammy Winner in its original release for Best Instrumental Soloist Performance ) from among Perahia's extensive catalog of highly acclaimed recordings. At mid-price, this album is a temptation too inviting to pass up.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Everything is correct but passionless, like a professor demonstrating Chopin, August 19, 2011

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Chopin: Études, Opp. 10 & 25 (Audio CD)

Long a resident of London, Murray Perahia achieved a "he can do no wrong" status with english critics, and tis 2002 set of Chopin Etudes received Record of the Month from the Gramophone, as his previous Chopin record, of the four Ballades, received a Grmophone Award as best keyboard recording of the year. The pianist has spread his Chopin recitals across four decades, and I was enamored of the first one on Sony, which contained Sonatas No 2 and 3. But the boat left me behind on the dock somewhere. Perahia's later Chopin became so much less spontaneous, imaginative, brilliant and enjoyable. A pianist who was never very inward became increasingly like a professor giving a keyboard demonstration - every ingredient is in place except passion and personality.

The British have an appetite for pianists who stay nearly within boundaries (was anyone's blood fired up by Solomon and Dame Myra Hess?), but I am a bit baffled why so many amazon reviewers are enthralled b these Etudes. comparing them for two minutes with Pollini's dazzling account should be enough to demonstrate what's lacking. Yet I realize that musicians hate being compared to past greats. On its own terms, Perahia's account is posed and stylish, to a fault, I would say. His technique is flawless but rarely used to excite us. His pacing and tempo choices are impeccable. I realize that there is a whole class of listeners who believe that no such thing as magic exists, that the score sits there on the counter like flour, waiting to be picked up and used in a recipe. For them, this is a perfect set of Chopin Etudes, but I will keep searching for charisma, personality, originality, and bravura showmanship - all the things you don't find on the recipe page.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great interpretation of brilliant piano works, May 19, 2007

By 

Claude Weiss "Claude" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Chopin: Études, Opp. 10 & 25 (Audio CD)

Disclaimer: I'm not an expert on classical music, much less on classical music performances, so my reviews represent a newcomer's take on classical CDs. Take that for what it's worth.

I should begin this review by saying that if you don't already have Chopin's etudes on CD, don't even finish reading this--order a copy of them immediately! Chopin's etudes are brilliant piano works, virtuosic without a trace of excess and exquisitely beautiful. From the quiet loveliness of op. 10 no. 3 to the fury of the "Winter Wind" etude (op. 25 no. 11), the compositions cover the full gamut of emotions.

This performance of the set is excellent. A delicate touch of rubato and a crisp, clear tone throughout the tracks makes this a thoroughly listenable recording. The addition of the impromptus is also a nice addition, though I didn't enjoy any of them as much as the etudes themselves. Overall, this record is a great buy.