Customer Reviews

Chopin: Piano Concerti 1 & 2

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Murray Perahia's elegant playing still stands out in a crowded field of excellent recent recordings of Chopin's piano concerti. It's still one of the best currently available, even with excellent alternatives from the likes of Argerich and Zimerman. Perahia is truly a keyboard poet; his playing filled with much warmth and empathy for Chopin's scores. He is blessed in having Zubin Mehta and the Israel Philharmonic as splendid accompanists (Indeed, this may be the finest recording I have heard from either Mehta or the Israel Philharmonic.). Regrettably, Mehta's skills at the podium have been dismissed by many, yet he turns in vibrant, superb interpretations of Chopin's scores in these live performances. Sony's - or rather CBS' - sound engineers did a great job recording both concerti; the sound quality is remarkably excellent for an early live digital recording. The Penguin Guide to Classical Music CDs still rates this recording as one of the finest of these concerti; after you purchase this CD I think you'll agree.

This is by far one of the most remarkable recordings of the two chopin concerti. Perahia plays with such brio and fire, with forward-moving tempi yet with tasteful rubato here and there. Mehta makes the orchestra part very powerful and vivid -- some people might find it too vivid, but I absolutely love it since it makes nonsense out of the common opinion that Chopin didn't know how to orchestrate. The E minor concerto has some wonderful counterpoint between piano and various solo instruments (the solo horn in the second subject of the first movement is an example), and Mehta makes them sing as musical lines rather than downgrading them to background as too many conductors do. Even those seemingly dull chordal gestures in the strings are given expressive weight. My only reservation about this disc is the fact that the applause is included. Otherwise, this disc is truly phenomenal. I like it even more than the Argerich/Dutoit recording since Dutoit's conducting is really rather dull, and Perahia is every bit Argerich's equal. This is no disc for people who view Chopin as some sentimental love-sick consumptive weakling.

I recently purchased this CD through Amazon.com. For a live performance, the audio quality of this CD is superb. While I admire any musician who tries to do justice to Chopin's intricate compositions, this performance is truly magnificent. Murray Perahia's rendition of both concerti is the best I've ever heard -- here is a man who really understands Chopin. I appreciate the fact that he interprets Chopin without imposing his own personality on the music -- and that is rare quality these days. As far as the performance of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra is concerned, no praise is necessary -- they are simply one of the best orchestras in the world, and their performance on this CD is up to their usual impeccable standards.

This is a must-have recording. I highly recommend it.

I was impressed by Murray P's performance. Slow movements in both concertos are exquisite. Sound is very average. Had Sony done a better job on the sound, this CD would have been a real classic!!

I first heard the recording of the E minor concerto on my car radio on the way to a play. I was so caught up that once I got to the theatre I sat in my car to the very end and then missed the play's opening curtain. And I bought the recording the next day. Perahia is simply marvelous, poetic. Mehta's accompaniment is a bit drab in comparison, hence only four stars.

Not much to say about this magnificent performance. Perahia is superb, flowing, beautiful, lyrical. It is so wonderful to hear a pianist play with such lack of abruptness (listen to Zimmerman and Ax). Perahia has some of the nicest/cleanest trills and best left hand/right hand balance when playing unison. The slow movements in both of the concertos are just amazingly beautiful - Perahia is literally hovering/floating over the piano. To play so smoothly is a large technical feat. GREAT CD.

this is just beautiful music.perahia is a true keyboard poet and Zubin mehta is perhaps the most underrated conductor ever(i have seen his performances on the TV a couple of times with the new york philharmonic.i have not heard any other conductor shape beethoven's third piano concerto as well as this fine conductor).in these chopin piano concertos they fashion a fine blend of lyricism and athletic vigour.the slow movements can make the listener hold his/her breath ,the poignancy is gripping!

watchout for the final movement of the first concerto where the piano catches up with the orchestra in an athletic dash for the finishing line!

The piano is excellent, wonderful touch and flow. The orchestra sounds as if it is coming from another source without the same audio quality.

mr perahia is my favorite living pianist. his playing is breathtaking as always. it is unfortunate that this live recording is ruined by bad sound and even worse by constant coughing from the audience. it is very distracting especially during the slower parts of the concerto. one can only hope that mr. perahia will one day re-record this concerto with better sound and a more "quiet" audience.

as i review this concert i keep in mind that chopin was a genius to write,composed these 2 concertos, in fact the only ones that god,s gift talent prevailed all his short life 39 years old can you imagine if he had lived another 30 years i,d rather not think about it. maestro metha was at his best as usual and the pianist displayed a rare talent on the key board helped by such a maestro who led all the way,paving an easier execution by mr perahia