Customer Reviews

Chopin: 17 Waltzes; 4 Mazurkas; Polonaise no. 6 Op. 53

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

 

 

I'm guessing from the fact that this is a budgetline CD, that Tamas Vasary--whom Google tells me is indeed quite an accomplished musician and conductor--may not be considered the definitive interpreter of Chopin. I listen to classical radio almost exclusively these days and have to admit Vasary's name was totally unfamiliar to me. But I can't afford to be a musical snob--I have way too much to learn on that, uh, score. All I can say is having listened extensively to Vasary's interpretations of Chopin, I cannot for the life of me think why he's not right up there with Ashkenazy, Argerich, Ohlsson or Perahia. Admittedly, I'm still quite the beginner in terms of classical music appreciation. But I have to wonder if the classical star system isn't every bit as arbitrary as that of popular music--or any other performing art.

What I love about this record is the near perfect sequencing of the material. The 17 waltzes of the title become all of a piece here, for instance. And I am hesitant to even try them on random select because they flow together so beautifully as sequenced here. I could listen to it over and over--and, in fact, I do.

Listening to piano pieces is, I find, an ideal way for the relatively inexperienced listener to develop an ear for classical music. It was listening to a pianist that I had my first "aha" experience with classical music. I suddenly realized that I could really HEAR it, and appreciate how it was structured and understand something of the beauty of all that. Some neophytes may benefit more from being exposed to the grandiosity of an orchestra. For me that came much later. There's nothing that can compare to intimacy of the piano. When the pianist is as skilled and as sensitive as Vasary at any rate.

I do intend to listen to some of the acknowledged masters takes on Chopin's gorgeous piano works. It should prove instructive. I doubt that any of them will convince me that Vasary is not deserving of more attention that he appears to have received. That's not to say that he has been a failed artist: his bio suggests that he's had a very successful career and has achieved international acclaim. No slouch then, but apparently not someone one hears very often on the radio either. And that's a shame. I would like to thank him for providing me with another "aha" experience.

Songs Include :
1. Grande Valse Brillante Es-Dur Op. 18 Vivo
2. Waltzer As-Dur Op. 34 No. 1 Vivace
3. Waltzer A-Moll Op. 34 No. 2 Lento
4. Waltzer F-Dur Op. 34 No. 3 Vivace
5. Waltzer As-Dur Op. 42
6. Waltzer Des-Dur Op. 64 No. 1 Molto Vivace
7. Waltzer Cis-Moll Op. 64 No. 2 Tempo Giusto
8. Waltzer As-Dur Op. 64 No. 3 Moderato
9. Waltzer As-Dur Op. 69 No. 1 Tempo Di Valse
10. Waltzer H-Moll Op. 64 No. 2
11. Waltzer Ges-Dur Op. Post. 70 No. 1
12. Waltzer F-Moll Op. Post. 70 No. 2
13. Waltzer Des-Dur Op. Post. 70 No. 3 Moderato
14. Waltzer E-Moll Op. Post.
15. Waltzer E-Dur Op. Post. Tempo Di Valse
16. Waltzer As-Dur Op. Post
17. Waltzer Es-Dur Op. Post.
18. Mazurka D-Dur Op. Post.
19. Mazurka C-Dur Op. 67 No. 3 Allegretto
20. Mazurka A-Moll Op. 68 No. 2 Lento
21. Mazurka B-Dur Op. 71 No. 1 Vivace
22. Polonaise As-Dur Op. 53 Maestoso