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Track Listings
| 1. Waltz in E flat major Op 18 | |||
| 2. Waltz in A flat major Op 34 No 1 | |||
| 3. Waltz in A minor Op 34 No 2 | |||
| 4. Waltz in F major Op 34 No 3 | |||
| 5. Waltz in A flat major Op 42 | |||
| 6. Waltz in D flat major 'Minute' Op 64 No 1 | |||
| 7. Waltz in C sharp minor Op 64 No 2 | |||
| 8. Waltz in A flat major Op 64 No 3 | |||
| 9. Waltz in D flat major Op 70 No 3 | |||
| 10. Waltz in B minor Op 69 No 2 | |||
| 11. Waltz in E major KKIVa/12 | |||
| 12. Waltz in A flat major KKIVa/13 | |||
| 13. Waltz in E minor KKIVa/15 | |||
| 14. Waltz in G major Op 70 No 1 | |||
| 15. Waltz in A flat major Op 69 No 1 | |||
| 16. Waltz in F minor Op 70 No 2 | |||
| 17. Waltz in A minor KKIVb/11 | |||
| 18. Sostenuto in E flat major 'Waltz' KKIVb/10 | |||
| 19. Waltz in E flat major KKIVa/14 | |||
| 20. Waltz in F sharp minor 'Valse melancolique' KKIb/7 | |||
See all 21 tracks on this disc
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Editorial Reviews
Review
A Chopin proponent of the first rank. --Audiophile Audition
Product Description
Stephen Hough has a unique affinity for the music of Chopin, whose music has always been a central part of his repertoire. His earlier Chopin recordings for Hyperion garnered huge critical acclaim. Hough s name has become synonymous with pianistic elegance, flawless technique and immense musicianship and he has become globally renowned for his engaging and refined Chopin interpretations. In his Waltzes, Chopin brought a new level of sophistication to this popular dance form. The disc is rounded off with the famous E flat major Nocturne, which gives a more lyrical expression to the meter of the waltz. These illuminating and compelling performances are not to be missed.
Customer Reviews
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Chopin's very beautiful waltzes are, to me, some of the most gorgeous compositions by that composer. Stephen Hough's new (2010) recording of these works is so beautiful and sensitive. His playing of all the Waltzes (8 published and 9 unpublished plus 3 of doubtful origin) especially the melencoly ones in minor keys moved me to tears. He has such fabulous technique and produces the most beautiful tones.
Hough beautifully, rhythmically, gracefully and elegantly plays the Waltzes in chronological order of composition (which finely shows, to me, Chopin's development as a composer) with the ones in minor keys being my absolute favorites. (by the way Hough's use of rubato is sublime). Added to the aforesaid compositions, Stephen wonderfully plays the Nocturne in E flat number two (2) which really sounds a lot like a Waltz in disguise. Whatever form it really is, Stephen plays it most beautifully. I love this album and have listened to it often. Stephen Hough is a real "treasure". I just love how he plays the piano. Do I sound a little bias? I am bias when it comes to Hough's piano playing-- my high admiration of his playing is confirmed, once again, in this album. The recorded sound is very good too.
Hough beautifully, rhythmically, gracefully and elegantly plays the Waltzes in chronological order of composition (which finely shows, to me, Chopin's development as a composer) with the ones in minor keys being my absolute favorites. (by the way Hough's use of rubato is sublime). Added to the aforesaid compositions, Stephen wonderfully plays the Nocturne in E flat number two (2) which really sounds a lot like a Waltz in disguise. Whatever form it really is, Stephen plays it most beautifully. I love this album and have listened to it often. Stephen Hough is a real "treasure". I just love how he plays the piano. Do I sound a little bias? I am bias when it comes to Hough's piano playing-- my high admiration of his playing is confirmed, once again, in this album. The recorded sound is very good too.
6 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Critics tend to compare pianists with legendary figures of the past (Volodos is the new Horowitz; Brendel was the new Schnabel, etc.). Stephen Hough reminds me not so much of any pianist as of a conductor: Arturo Toscanini. No, Hough is not temperamental like the Italian Maestro. But his approach to music interpretation seems to be to discard traditional tempo changes, rubatos, and the like (which Toscanini derided as "the last bad performance"), study the score as if it were being played for the first time, and make any interpretive decisions on that basis.
Hough's set of waltzes is somewhat unique in that it includes not only Chopin's complete works in that genre, including those posthumously published, but even contains doubtful attributions. For extra measure, Hough tacks on the well-known E-flat Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 - which can sound like a languorous waltz.
Under Hough's hands, even the best known of these works emerge fresh - sounding newly minted. While never making interpretive decisions that draw attention for their own sake, there is nevertheless imagination in plenty here: Tempi are sensibly chosen, the meter is free without lapsing into rhythmic anarchy; inner-voices are blended in without popping out like sore thumbs; the sustaining pedal is used for washes of color but clarity is always maintained.
Hough also understands a nearly forgotten rule of Romantic performance practice: A works' beginning should be played in a direct manner, with rubato and other expressive devices introduced later on for effect. For example, at 2:59-3:08 of the C-sharp minor Waltz, Hough adds emphasis to an inner voice in the right hand - bringing a sense of variety to a passage that too often sounds repetitive.
Boasting excellent sound and thorough liner notes, this is my new "go-to" set of Chopin Waltzes - indeed a must for piano fans.
Hough's set of waltzes is somewhat unique in that it includes not only Chopin's complete works in that genre, including those posthumously published, but even contains doubtful attributions. For extra measure, Hough tacks on the well-known E-flat Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 - which can sound like a languorous waltz.
Under Hough's hands, even the best known of these works emerge fresh - sounding newly minted. While never making interpretive decisions that draw attention for their own sake, there is nevertheless imagination in plenty here: Tempi are sensibly chosen, the meter is free without lapsing into rhythmic anarchy; inner-voices are blended in without popping out like sore thumbs; the sustaining pedal is used for washes of color but clarity is always maintained.
Hough also understands a nearly forgotten rule of Romantic performance practice: A works' beginning should be played in a direct manner, with rubato and other expressive devices introduced later on for effect. For example, at 2:59-3:08 of the C-sharp minor Waltz, Hough adds emphasis to an inner voice in the right hand - bringing a sense of variety to a passage that too often sounds repetitive.
Boasting excellent sound and thorough liner notes, this is my new "go-to" set of Chopin Waltzes - indeed a must for piano fans.
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
Nice waltzes played by a great pianist. Hough's work is totally convincing. This is a CD that anyone will enjoy.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very new interpretation
A very new interpretation of Chopin's waltzes. Not excentric but fascinating because of a lot of small and pretty details. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Gerald
5.0 out of 5 stars
enjoy every track
I first heard this on my local classical radio station. I enjoyed it so much that I ordered it. I practice ballet to the music and enjoy it even when I'm not dancing.
Published 20 months ago by Yvonne R Hall
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great!
I got this as a gift for my friend whose favorite pianist is Stephen Hough, and he was not disappointed!
Published 21 months ago by J. To
