Chopin: Piano Concertos 1 & 2

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Christian Zacharias (Conductor, Performer), Lausanne Chamber Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Christian Zacharias
• Orchestra: Lausanne Chamber Orchestra
• Conductor: Christian Zacharias
• Composer: Frederic Chopin
• Audio CD (June 21, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: MD&G Records
• ASIN: B0007X6T1Y
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #98,668 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Allegro Maestoso

2. Romanze. Larghetto

3. Rondo. Vivace

4. Maestoso

5. Larghetto

6. Allegro Vivace

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Christian Zacharias into Chopin's land, October 24, 2011

By 

P. Adrian "Adrian" (Arad, Romania) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chopin: Piano Concertos 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

When it comes to Chopin, there are lots of super-class pianists that struggle to take the stage and bring the spotlight on their very performances. Once mastering a flawless technique, almost of all of them seem to consider themselves as entitled to tackle the great romantic's oeuvre. But actually, there are a very few who can exhibit the needed insight to get the essence of this very special music. Of course, the technical wizardry is a key ingredient in giving a remarkable interpretation of Chopin's Etudes, Polonaises, Scherzos. Or even Concertos, as is here the case. Yet, this only quality is definitely not enough, in absence of a deep empathy with the romantic mood of the scores or a special flexibility in dealing with its contrasting feelings. (However, some of the greatest pianists of all times - such as Alfred Brendel or Radu Lupu - have avoided immersing in Chopin's universe, since their affinity to this music seemed incomplete.)

A few years ago, Christian Zacharias decided that the right time for recording the two Piano Concertos by Chopin has arrived. Accompanied by his fabulous musicians from Chamber Orchestra of Lausanne, Zacharias offers a clean version of the famous works, in a Mozartean style I dare say. And this is not to be seen as a reproach, but rather as a touch of originality. His exquisite flair in performing Scarlatti and Mozart helps him here to give a poised rendition, with no romantic excesses, with sober and elegant solutions, with rather a chamber approach in conversing with the orchestra. Maybe, there are in the market some more flamboyant versions (Argerich, Zimerman, Barenboim, Ohlsson, Perahia, Leonskaja) or older cornerstones in the catalogue (Arrau, Rubinstein, Bolet) that could claim the first place. This recording can stand in its own right along with all these canonical versions.

My overall rating for this MDG 2005-release would go somewhere between 4 and 5 stars, but I finally choose 5, taking into account my unconditional esteem for this wonderful musician called CHRISTIAN ZACHARIAS!

1 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent performances, August 14, 2010

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Frequent Amazon Customer (San Diego, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Chopin: Piano Concertos 1 & 2 (Audio CD)

Both Zacharias and the Lausanne Orchestra do an oustanding job with these concertos. Great listening pleasure.