Frederic Chopin: Complete Works For Piano And Orchestra

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Eliahu Inbal (Conductor), London Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Claudio Arrau (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Claudio Arrau
• Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Eliahu Inbal
• Composer: Frederic Chopin
• Audio CD (August 10, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B00000416B
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #100,871 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Classical Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 12-AUG-1993

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully balanced, November 3, 2006

By 

K. G. Lee (Princeton, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Frederic Chopin: Complete Works For Piano And Orchestra (Audio CD)

Upon listening to Arrau playing the Chopin concerti, the first thing that jumps to attention is his tone: it metamorphises between lively and bright to aching, naked beauty, most notably in the Op.11 1st Concerto. I keep listening the first movement over and over to recapture that reflective, dark tone of his at the culmination of the theme's development. Somehow, his tone reminds me of drops of dew in a moonlit night. However, considering that Arrau was already 69 years old when he made this recording, you may think that reflective and spiritual is all he has, but surprisingly he managed to put in energy and zest where it's required in the fast movements. I've seen a video of Yundi Li, the Chinese prodigy who won the 2000 Chopin Piano Competition, and Arrau doesn't lose out in the comparison in terms of energy.

Overall, Arrau's interpretation concentrates on exploring the intimate, passionate side of these pieces, which were written in Chopin's youth, and in this respect he brings the same mastery which endowed his interpretations of the Nocturnes. However, this is certainly not at the expense of the zesty side of these pieces.

The core of recording is Chopin's 2 piano concerti, and the rest of it is composed of his other works for piano and orchestra, which are in fact more commonly played as piano solos. The most famous of these is the Andante Spianiato and Grand Polonaise, and it's very obvious that the orchestra is almost superfluous in these pieces. Speaking of the orchestra, the London Philharmonic conducted by Eliahu Inbal is understated but unerringly faithful in backing the pianistic centrepiece provided by Arrau.

Overall, a recording to be highly recommended, even more so considering the low price of this release.

21 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A bargain at Twice the Price!!, November 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Frederic Chopin: Complete Works For Piano And Orchestra (Audio CD)

This is a GREAT album; and 2 CD's yet, both filled (over 150 minutes total) with glorious piano music. A reissue of 1972 recordings, nothing is missing as Arrau and company create emminenetly listenable renditions of these Chopin masterpieces. No lover of romantic piano music should be without them. (Reviewer's note: this sounds like I am the promoter but I am simply a well-satisfied customer.)

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing, February 23, 2007

By 

M. Akiva (USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Frederic Chopin: Complete Works For Piano And Orchestra (Audio CD)

If you haven't had the chance to hear Arrau's performances of Chopin's works, buy this disc. You will truly be hooked. Unlike many people who believe that Ashkenzy or Rubenstein are the ultimate Chopin interpreters, I must say that Arrau rivals and tops them. His flexible and slower style of playing matches the romanticism of Chopin's works. Coupled with a great conductor and orchestra, this brings out a top-notch performance.

These discs are well worth the small investment.