Customer Reviews

Chopin: Mazurkas

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A fully satisfying rendition of Chopin's mazurkas. Ashkenazy, a Russian, reminds us that these are first and foremost Polish folk dances, and are only secondarily French salon pieces (hence, he avoids the temptation to play these like dreamy, oozing, cloudy, nebulous bits of musical cotton candy, a treatment to which so many artists joy in subjecting poor Frederic's music.) Also, don't miss Ashkenazy's wonderfully introspective recordings of Shostakovich's supremely introspective preludes and fugues. A revelation.

A wonderful performance of some of Chopin's most poignant compositions. The relatively low profile enjoyed by Chopin's mazurkas, in comparison with his nocturnes, waltzes and preludes, enables them to move the spirit in a manner that is not possible with excessively familiar works - and the mazurkas do move the spirit quite a bit. Get this CD - it will afford you many years of pleasure for less than the cost of two movie tickets.

Chopin is my all time favorite composer. I don't know why his mazurkas aren't more widely played because they are unbelievable. This CD makes me extremely happy. If you like Chopin, or classical music in general, and you don't have access to his mazurkas, then you should definitely buy this CD. At 18 cents a mazurka, you can't really go wrong.

My two favorites are Op. 17 No. 4 in A minor and Op. 50 No. 3 in C sharp minor... Just wanted to share :)

I cannot really see why anyone would complain about these performances. They are rich in poetry and spirit, and if there is anything lacking it must be either a certain sense of daring - something to really distinguish Ashkenazy from the great piano poets who have set down this music in the past, though his take is not obviously much inferior to them - or, and this may be a more serious concern for some, a certain lack of subtlety. Apart from that there is really nothing workmanlike about these performances, replete as they are with color and beautiful textural richness. Ashkenazy's tempo choices are also almost consistently convincing (though he may be on the slow, lingering side on certain occasions). Rhythms are nevertheless sharp and precise, though again Ashkenazy's playing may occasionally be a little too massive, too Beethovenian, for the music. Still, there is a great range of feeling and expression in these accounts and - an important element - quite a lot of wit and humor. Furthermore, both the instrument and the recorded sound are very good. I am not going too claim that this set replaces all the competitors, but for anyone wanting a reliable, rewarding version of Chopin mazurkas - in modern sound - this strikes me as a good a choice as any.

I guess I must be very much in the minority here, but I like these mazurkas. Granted that Ashkenazy is not noted for his nuance or subtlety. But these are strong, masculine performances of these noble works. And where needed, there is poetry too -- as in the beautiful Op. 50 No. 3.

A good value for the Mazurkas by Chopin. A good example for students to hear.

Why do some audience love Ashkenazy so much, praising him to the 7th Heaven-- because he had the gust to deflect from Communism, or because like Li Yundi, he was then a novelty to the West? Part of the reason lies in the fact that Ashkenazy was and is still in possession of a great and unique technique, being able to make certain wonderful chimes with his double thirds etc with his comparatively small hands. And Chopin fits well with Ashkennazy's physique as audience would be able to discover from these pieces. (But to be fair, his Rachmaninov is also quite a sensation.)

It's so much fun listening to Ashkenazy alongside with some other great pianists. Coming to Mazurkas, it is of interest to compare him with Friedman whom most critics say is unsurpassable. There are some marvelous Mazukas from Horowitz too. Be that as it may, there is some uniqueness about Ashkenazy's music that may or may not be altogether to all audience's taste. To me, as far as Chopin is concerned, I like Dang Thai Son even better. And he himself admires Dang so much that he often invites him as his partner.

These are 2 CDs for the price of one of Chopin's Mazurkas. Ashkenazy plays them amazingly, and if you are smart, you will buy this CD!

this disc is really worth the money all the Mazurkas i ever wanted are on this although i am not too keen on the artist as he plays some too fast my music teacher used to play these with nostalgia so they bring back a lot of lovely memories

Ashkenazy alters not only Chopin's vital rhythms but the very notes Chopin wrote. These are Chopin's mazurkas as rewritten by Ashkenazy. I should say, as butchered by Ashkenazy.