Chopin: Préludes, Op.28

Fryderyk Chopin (Artist), Ivo Pogorelich (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 30, 1990)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GC8
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,421 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #66 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Preludes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, whether you love it or hate it., May 1, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Chopin: Préludes, Op.28 (Audio CD)

Those accustomed to the great traditional recordings of Chopin's preludes will possibly react very strongly to Pogorelich's version. I'm certainly no exception. Pogorelich will dazzle listeners with his inhuman, lightning-quick technique, only to later infuriate them with achingly slow tempi. Yet, I must admit that his impeccable, if not often pedantic and conceited, pianism never fails to fascinate me. It offers a new and refreshing perspective on Chopin's music and piano playing in general. Old-school fundamentalists have the right to hate this recording, but I encourage you to listen to it as you would embrace a new experience.

13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A sharply intellectual set, March 7, 2001

By 

Michael Whincop (GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY, QLD AUSTRALIA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Chopin: Préludes, Op.28 (Audio CD)

To make a minor opening point, Pogorelich seems to manage to have disks with less music on them than anyone else's -- this cd contains the 24 preludes from op. 28, and nothing else -- not even the op 45 or posthumous preludes! Be that as it may, these recordings are the work of an exceptionally thoughtful musician, and display a vast technical skill.

Pogorelich's Preludes are, in total, one of the slowest cycles ever recorded. Whereas Argerich rips through them in 33 minutes, Pogorelich lingers for 45. The only cycle I know of which is slower is Grigory Sokolov's recording on opus 111 (47'). For me, Sokolov is the benchmark in the Preludes. Like Pogorelich, Sokolov has a towering technique, intense concentration, and can be both dramatic and cerebral. My personal intuition is that Pogorelich just falls a little short of the Russian in the most red-blooded of the Preludes, particularly in no. 24, not technically, but in the spontaneity of emotional response.

That said, Pogorelich is a tremendously stimulating guide to these works. Hardly a prelude goes by without an illuminating touch -- often concerned with Chopin's unique way with counterpoint. Rhythms and textures are clarified with extraordinary vision, bringing up as fresh what is often hackneyed or ignored. The Raindrop prelude, no 15, demonstrates an extraordinary dynamic range from the merest whisper of a tone to a vastly sonorous fortissimo at the climax, over an exceptionally slow tempo (7'22"). The disk is well recorded, and the piano sounds very fine. This is a key set for all interested in this supreme musical cycle.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ponderous yes, but so potent, June 14, 2004

By 

Matthew B. Doar (San Jose, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Chopin: Préludes, Op.28 (Audio CD)

Where other reviewers hear only ponderous or unusual interpretations, I hear music that moves me. The stretched timings on many of the pieces are rather like significant pauses in memorable conversations: more is said in the slightly over-long silences than in all the glorious runs (and they are amazingly dextrous). I find this recording to be one I listen to over and over again.

~Matt