Chopin - Pletnev

Fryderyk Chopin (Composer), Mikhail Pletnev (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Mikhail Pletnev
• Composer: Fryderyk Chopin
• Audio CD (July 15, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GYT
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #102,065 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #11 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Ecossaises

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars B R I L L I A N T !!!, September 23, 2003

By 

Artur Zebrowski (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Chopin - Pletnev (Audio CD)

I am truly astonished that this CD, despite the fact that it has been released for nearly five years, has not been rated by anyone at Amazon. Among my very bulky collection of Chopin's oeuvre this release of Pletnev I consider one of his best. So far he's released three CDs entirely with compositions by this composer. I admire the interpretation of Chopin's works on the other studio recording (Sonata No. 2, Scherzo No. 2), however, I find it quite inferior to this one as far as the quality of sound is concerned. Particularly I dislike the excessive amount of reverb. This recording, however, is simply superb in every possible aspect. The whole of it represents a wonderfully compiled recital, each piece rendered with gorgeous and stylish interpretation. You can feel how each representation is a result of the interpreter's devotion to each piece. Pletnev's Chopin is thoughtful, poetic, beautiful, and brilliant. Above all, Pletnev's Chopin is new and individual. Unlike the plethora of pianists busily recording Chopin, Pletnev is releasing only the compositions as a result of true artistic reconsideration. Here, in my opinion, he brings an incredibly inspiring Fantasy in F minor as well as the Sonata No. 3 in B minor. In the Finale of the Sonata he puts to shame all other grandiose interpreters. Yes, Chopin requires devotion! All the other smaller works on this CD are simply an infallible approach in the rediscovering of the Slavic composer. When it comes to its sonic qualities the entire CD is an unquestionable success.
I do hope that Pletnev will release more Chopin, specifically the Nocturnes.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dazzling Chopin recital, February 16, 2006

By 

Alan Lekan (Boulder, CO) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Chopin - Pletnev (Audio CD)

Michail Pletnev is one of those performers who brings a little extra something to the music he plays. This will not appeal to all who expect a piece of music to be played within a narrow corridor of technique and intrepration. In all his performances - Scarlatti, CPE Bach, the Russian works and Chopin - Pletnev certainly can never be faulted for being dull, ploding or banal. Conversely, his pianism is always thrilling and exhilerating to experience.

Probably the one facet of Pletnev's "signature style" that is most breathtaking is the crystallinity, crispness and etherealness of his running demisemiquavers. His "plucky" and hyperkinetic articulation is the G-flat and G-sharp major Etude (and the A-flat major Impromptu for that matter) are absolutely thrilling and a highlight of this disc. I found his reading of the Impromptu intriguing and deeply satisying.

All of these qualities - along with a keen sensitivity for Chopin's form and poetry - combine to make a most satisfying Chopin recital worth hearing in a crowded sea of Chopin recordings. This CD has a nice variety that showcase Pletnev's wide range of pianistic skills. While other pianists may exude a more elegant and refined poetry in "Parlor Pieces" like the Waltzes, Nocturnes or Impromptus, Pletnev injects a unique dynamism into such works that frees them of any hint of sappiness or sameness and charges them with a greater kinetic energy. Not to say his playing is all about energy as his reading of the hauntingly lovely A-minor Waltz brims with expression and allure, while the C-sharp minor Etude transports the listener to a beautiful, dreamy world.

The highlight of the recital for some will be his superb reading of the Sonata No. 3 in B-minor - a daunting work that Pletnev brings to a vibrant life. (this work in particular got strong reviews). Speaking of reviews, Penguin Guide gave this recital a top 3/3 stars, concluding, "For all of one's reservation of the personal element, this is most distinguished playing indeed." Yes indeed, Pletnev brings a thilling element to most anything he puts his fingers to, and this has earned him many passionate fans. All-in-all, a most enjoyable and exciting Chopin program played with dazzling and dreamy effect and recorded in that legendary brilliant, full-bodied DG sound that makes the piano sound right in front of you. Compositions - 5 stars; Performance - 5 stars; Sound Quality - 5 stars.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Chopin the Pletnev way, February 14, 2006

By 

Antonia Brentano (Leiden, The Netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chopin - Pletnev (Audio CD)

Today I listened to this cd for the first time. I have not heard such a unique, personal interpretation of Chopin for a long time. You may not always agree with some of his interpretative choices, but this is undoubtedly a very exciting and surprising cd.
If you love Chopin, buy it.