Chopin: Valses; Impromptus; Ballades; Scherzos [United Kingdom] [Import]

Chopin (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 5, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI Classics France
• ASIN: B00006487E
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #731,519 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Valse No. 1 In E-Flat Major

2. Valse No. 2 In A-Flat Major, Op. 34 No. 1 'Valse Brillante'

3. Valse No. 3 In A Minor. Op 34 No. 2

4. Valse No. 4 In F Major, Op. 24 No. 3 'Valse Brillante'

5. Valse No. 5 Grande Valse in A-Flat Major Op. 42

6. Valse No. 6 In D-Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1

7. Valse No. 7 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 64 No. 2

8. Valse No. 8 In A-Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 3

9. Valse No. 9 In A-Flat Major, Op. 69 No. 1

10. Valse No. 10 In B Minor, Op. 69 No. 2

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Ballade No. 1 In G Minor, Op. 23

2. Ballade No. 2 In F Major, Op. 38

3. Ballade No. 3 In A-Flat Major, Op. 47

4. Ballade No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 52

5. Scherzo No. 1 In B Minor, Op. 20

6. Scherzo No. 2 In B-Flat Minor, Op. 31

7. Scherzo No. 3 In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 39

8. Scherzo No. 4 In E Major, Op. 54

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Francois : the supreme poet !, September 29, 2004

By 

Hiram Gomez Pardo (Valencia, Venezuela) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chopin: Valses; Impromptus; Ballades; Scherzos [United Kingdom] (Audio CD)

Samson Francois was one of the most talented and high gifted pianists of his generation . He was a self convinced and deeply honest artist . He will never give you a trivial performing .
This set is admirable . The Waltzes are superb , specially the Valse op. 64 No. 2 , The Brilliant Waltz and the minute Waltz .
His arpegios are composed of a perfect balance between intelect and emotion involved by a wisdom and irreverent vision ; his powerful articulation , his deep commitment and the eloquent expressiveness are some of his most remarkable virtues.
The ballads are splendid . The second and third are unique ; the first has better versions in the market (Michelangeli of the fifties in Praga live concert) , Teresa Carreño and William Kapell (1952) in a weird live performing. The fourth ballade is of Casadesus ; he is a winner .
The Impromptus are really interesting ; because Francois literally enriches them and reveals some unknown and unthinkable aspects of its inner values . Usually these are pages of neglected and unfair considerations for the most of the pianists . The Op. 66 is the most famous , but there is not a special interest for playing them for the najorityof the players.
Wonderful artist and unforgettable performings .

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Performances, March 26, 2007

By 

Doug - Haydn Fan (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Chopin: Valses; Impromptus; Ballades; Scherzos [United Kingdom] (Audio CD)

This Francois CD of the Chopin waltzes seems to get better each time I listen. The sound of the recording is decidely superior to the Lipatti, and so I tend to give this out as a gift when I want to send someone a CD of the waltzes in better sound. Francois really is as described: both aristocratic and poetic, and what's even more important, engaging and brilliant too. There are only a few moments when I find him too indulgent with the tempo; this is my first choice in reasonably modern sound. (These were recorded in the early sixties in Paris.)
The other selections are of an equally high standard, but I generally come back to the waltzes, recorded performances of which I rarely find satisfying. After Lipatti this quite possibly is the best recorded performance.
If you already have a CD of the waltzes and are considering another one you should find this one a very good addition!