Krystian Zimerman: Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century, Vol. 100

Johannes Brahms (Composer), Frederick Chopin (Composer), Claude Debussy (Composer), Krystian Zimerman (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Krystian Zimerman
• Composer: Johannes Brahms, Frederick Chopin, Claude Debussy
• Audio CD (February 9, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Polygram Records
• ASIN: B00000I0LN
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #361,245 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Scherzo In E Flat Minor, Op.4

2. Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: Allegro non troppo

3. Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: Allegro appassionato

4. Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: Andante - Piu adagio

5. Piano Concerto No. 2 In B Flat, Op. 83: Allegretto grazioso - Un poco piu presto

Disc: 2

1. Ballade No. 4 In F Minor, Op. 52

2. Fantasie In F Minor, Op. 49

3. Funerailles - From Harmonies poetiques et religieuses

4. Totentanz (Danse macabre)

5. Preludes, Book 1 (Excerpts): No. 1 Danseuses de Delphes

6. Preludes, Book 1 (Excerpts): No. 5 Les collines d'Anacapri

7. Preludes, Book 1 (Excerpts): No. 10 La cathedrale engloutie

8. Preludes, Book 1 (Excerpts): No. 11 La danse de Puck

9. Preludes, Book 1 (Excerpts): No. 12 Minstrels

10. Preludes, Book 2 (Excerpts): No. 9 Hommage a Samuel Pickwick Esq., P.P.M.P.C.

See all 11 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fine Introduction to a Great Pianist, August 2, 2004

By 

David A. Kemp (Plano, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Krystian Zimerman: Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century, Vol. 100 (Audio CD)

You could make a strong case that of the pianists born since 1950 and coming to prominence in the last quarter of the twentieth century, Krystian Zimerman is the most distinguished. Born in Poland in 1956, he studied at Katowice Conservatory and won first prize at the 1975 Warsaw Chopin Competition, the youngest of all the contestants. Since then he has gone on to enjoy a major international career, although I believe his career has been primarily centered in Europe. For a pianist of his eminence over the last quarter-century, his recorded output is surprisingly modest, bespeaking his meticulous preparation and his reluctance to record until he feels he can make a definitive statement. (His "big," red-blooded Chopin is a revelation, and I have long wished that he would record more of it; so far we have been offered only a tantalizingly small portion.) Everything in this generous (total timing 2.20:48) two-CD selection from Zimerman's limited discography is well chosen and shows him in peak form. His versatility, his big technique, his handsome tone, his dynamic range (listen to the buildup to the stunning first climax in the Chopin ballade), his clarity, his characteristic intensity are all on display here. He is a DG recording artist, and the recordings here range from 1981 to 1991; inevitably, given six different venues, the sound is somewhat variable, but it is never less than quite good. Indeed the two magnificent Chopin performances (recorded in 1987) feature the best piano sound I have heard from DG. These and the seven Debussy preludes are my favorites of the selections included here. The only sour note for me is the silly liner notes, by one Peter Cosse: 4 ˝ pages, in small print, of verbose, vacuous, highfalutin gush, from which the reader takes away nothing more than a general sense that the writer admires Zimerman's pianism. A waste of time and space. Come on, Philips; you can do better than this. But the notes are a minor annoyance, easily ignored. This is a fine introduction to a superb modern pianist, and can be confidently recommended to anyone who enjoys great pianism.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Stunning!, October 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Krystian Zimerman: Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century, Vol. 100 (Audio CD)

Zimerman has carefully selected some of his finest recordings for use in this album, and the result is a program of remarkable finish and vitality. Despite the level of perfection, the recordings sound remarkably in the moment; it is as if Zimerman invents the music on the spot! Zimerman's range of color and emotion, coupled with absolute command in every respect, are inspiration for a lifetime. The Brahms Concerto #2 with Bernstein and the Vienna PO is a must-have.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Worth it for the Brahms Concerto alone, March 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Krystian Zimerman: Great Pianists of the Twentieth Century, Vol. 100 (Audio CD)

This release is part of the massive Philips "Great Pianists of the Century" series, and it restores to the catalog Zimerman's live recording of the Brahms 2nd Piano Concerto, with Bernstein conducting the Vienna Philharmonic. Zimerman brings the perfect combination of technical brilliance and emotional involvement to this challenging masterpiece. He's also widely praised for his Chopin and Debussy, and this set shows why. A wonderful selection of performances by one of our greatest pianists. Outstanding sound throughout; if you like this, get his recording of the Grieg and Schumann concertos with von Karajan on DG.