Customer Reviews

Chopin: Favorite Piano Works

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In this recording we hear one of the great piano performers in Vladimir Ashkenazy playing pieces from one of the greatest piano composers in Fryderyk Chopin; with the utmost quality in recorded sound. And if one needs more convincing, you get two hours of music for the price of one cd. Hard to find a better buy in classical music. Moreover, this cd not only looks good on paper, but it also is one of my favorites to listen to. I usually listen to music to help enrich and exonerate an otherwise mundane (computer) task, and I find myself stopping work several times each listen because I'm overcome by the beauty of these pieces, and the both spirited and soulful playing of Ashkenazy. For anyone new to Chopin, I cannot think of a better starting point (no, this double cd does not cover all his great compositions!) than this recording.

This title comes with two (2) CD's, and its selection is wonderful. It contains many well-known Chopin pieces, it is perfect for those who just started to listen to Chopin as well as his long-time fans. The performance by Ashkenazy is, needless to mention, always so precise, delicate yet so stable ... beautiful! I strongly recommend it!

On vinyl I owned Ashkenazy's complete recordings of Chopin's piano works. Prior to purchasing this CD of what I call "highlights from Vladimir's Chopin Recordings", I had not replaced them in this format. What a joy it is to hear Vladimir Ashkenazy play these works again. I'm reminded of how much I loved his playing of Chopin on vinyl looking forward to each "new release" with great anticipation. Being, what is referred to, as a "senior citizen" , Chopin's music means ever so much to me offering rest for this weary soul. Vladimir Ashkenazy's performances on these discs are first rate and ones I truly love. As a previous reviewer pointed out, this compellation is a bargain-great price, great music, great sound and great performances by a master of Chopin's music.

If you love Chopin, as I do, buy this recording it will sooth your soul as only great music can.

First-rate compilation of Chopin pieces, sensitively played by Vladimir Ashkenazy and beautifully recorded by Decca. Personally, I couldn't live without the complete sets of Chopin's works, but if you only need a selection of favorites or a good starting point to explore Chopin, this double CD may come as a clear first choice. Highly recommended.

This is a great and affordable introduction to Chopin's solo works for piano. This release features both ADD and DDD recordings, and all sound wonderful. London as usual has done a fantastic job remastering the older recordings (to the point where it's very difficult to differentiate ADD from DDD). The price is right, too. If you're new to Chopin, I can't think of a better place to start (although the Sony Classics line also offers some great recordings, albeit ADD, at equally affordable prices). Either way, you can't go wrong, so purchase from both lines if you can!

Ashkenazy is one of the titans of Chopin. Davidovich and Arrau are the other two. They're all you need. Get Davidovich for the concertos, (inlcuding the Krakowiak--Op 14), Arrau for the nocturnes and a few miscellaneous pieces. Ashkenazy handles everything else.

(Btw, Ashkenazy vs. Davidovich re. the impromptus is a toss up. But since the impromptus aren't on this disc, you can make that critical decision another time.)

Ashkenazy's scherzo #2 (op. 31) IS the best. Period. Other interpretations that your favorite classical music station may substitute are downright lame.

The rest are basically sublime. The first and 4th ballades will send shivers up your spine by Vlad's sheer technical ability. His artistry is second to none.

Beautifully done 2 CD of Chopin works. I've played it every weekend since I got it, loving every track. It's well performed and recorded, and is an excellent collection for anyone interested in Chopin or his adopted homeland of Poland. And, of course, you can't often go wrong with the London Label.

This is a masterful performance by the great Vladimir Ashkenazy of Chopin's favourite piano works. If you love Chopin's music and Ashkenazy's magic touch, this 2-disc CD is a must. Apart from all the all-time favourites such as grande valse brillante, op 18, nocturne in E flat major, op 9 no 2, Minute, Black Key, Military, Raindrop, Tristesse etc etc, it's interesting to note Ashkenazy's interpretation of Ballade in G minor, op 23 vis-a-vis Janusz Olejniczak playing it in the poignant scene of the award-winning Polanski's film "The Pianist" ie the piece played by Adrien Brody in his role as Szpilman, the Jewish pianist in hiding, to the German officer Hosenfeld. Enjoy!!

This is a very good interpretation of Chopin's piano opi, without a doubt. It has the first spot in my CD player, as I listen to it almost daily. This would make a great gift for the piano-lover and as a pianist, I greatly appreciate this interpretation.

An excellent complilation of Chopin works which includes 3 of the pieces I am currently learning. Definitely has encouraged me to improve my piano skills and allow me to better appreciate his style of music.