Customer Reviews

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

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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 .

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!