Maria João Pires - Chopin · The Nocturnes

Frédéric Chopin (Artist), Maria João Pires (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 19, 1996)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000001GPN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #121,223 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning interpretation!!!, November 6, 2005

By 

J. Lee (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Maria João Pires - Chopin · The Nocturnes (Audio CD)

First of all, I will join in lambasting the fool below who claims there is only one way to interpret this music.

Chopin's nocturnes are not technically difficult pieces. Artistic interpretation is everything here. Maria Joao Pires plays with depth and sensitivity which rings true and clear. The first time I heard the first track (B-flat minor nocturne) on this set, my breath was taken away. This is truly a first class recording.

I own the interpretations by Artur Rubinstein, Daniel Barenboim, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Claudio Arrau, Idil Biret (Naxos), and Ivan Moravec. Moravec's version has been hailed as the best of this group, and until I heard Pires, I would have agreed. However, Pires's interpretation is every bit as valid AND the modern Deutsche Grammophon sound quality is superb (I noticed this album is now sold under the Decca label). [By the way, if you buy Moravec's version, get the overseas digitally remastered Ultima Nonesuch version from a European vendor so you don't get stuck with the US-licensed version]

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars HONESTLY, SIMPLY GENIAL, August 22, 2000

By 

Pedro I. Garcia MD "mipela" (AVENTURA, FL United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Maria João Pires - Chopin · The Nocturnes (Audio CD)

Beyond the excellence of the recording and the flawlessness of her technique, Pires' simply honest and genial interpretation pays the highest hommage to Chopin's Nocturnes that has ever been recorded. Muito Obrigado pela sua sinceridade, Maestra! Bravissimo!!

27 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Field of Dreams, March 4, 2003

By 

Avid Reader (Franklin, Tn) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Maria João Pires - Chopin · The Nocturnes (Audio CD)

One must first note that this CD contains all 21 Noctures not 19 as many records do. Secondly, it must be mentioned that this is not an extremely original interpretation of a rather familiar set. But there is a lot to be said for strict renditions that follow the spirit of the artist's intent.

While Chopin infused many of his most beautiful works with sudden rushes and furious passages, the overall spirit of the Nocturnes is that of a languid afternoon as the shadow of the setting sun slowly stretches over the landscape. This is Pires' interpretation and it is a valid one. The dreamy passages glide and flow from melody to melody. There is a softness and a slight hesitation in the playing. While some may criticize the technical aspects, most listeners prefer the beautiful and the satisfying over the imaginative. This recording has depths of emotion that is rare today and for that reason alone deserves the highest accolades.