The Pianist: Original Recordings by Wladyslaw Szpilman [Soundtrack]

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Robert Schumann (Composer), Wladyslaw Szpilman (Composer), Claude Debussy (Composer), Isaac Albeniz (Composer), Alfred Grunfeld (Composer), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Fritz Kreisler (Composer), Stefan Rachon (Conductor), Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Wladyslaw Szpilman (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Wladyslaw Szpilman
• Orchestra: Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Stefan Rachon
• Composer: Frederic Chopin, Sergey Rachmaninov, Robert Schumann, Wladyslaw Szpilman, Claude Debussy, et al.
• Audio CD (December 17, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Soundtrack
• Label: Bci / Eclipse Music
• ASIN: B00007KFRG
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #208,481 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Frederik Chopin (1810-1849): Nocturne, No.20 Op.Posthumous in C sharp minor Recorded 1980

2. Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)Year Composed: 1916, Daisies Op. 38 Nr.3 Recorded 1954

3. Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943), Prelude in G-sharp minor op. 32, Recorded 1954

4. Robert Schumann (1810-1856) Fantasie C-dur op 17 (Sonata for Beethoven) Part 3 (slowly plangent) Recorded 1960

5. Wladyslaw Szpilman Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (1940) Recorded 1969

6. Claude Debussy (1888-1905) The Girl with the Flaxen Hair Recorded 1948

7. Claude Debussy (1888-1905) Images No 3 - Reflections in the Water Recorded 1948

8. Isaac Albiniz, (1860-1909) Cordoba (Cantos de Espaqa No.4, Op. 232) Recorded 1948

9. Alfred Gruenfeld, (1852-1924) Paraphrase on theme from Johann Strauss (1825 - 1899) Die Fledermaus Recorded 1948

10. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Chaconne from Partita No. 2 in D minor, BWV 1004 - Arr. Busoni (1866 - 1924) Recorded 1972

11. Fritz Kreisler (1875-1962) Arr. Rachmaninow (1873-1943) Liebesleid Recorded 1948

12. Frederik Chopin (1810-1849) Mazurka in A-Flat op. 17 nr. 3 Recorded 1980

13. Frederik Chopin (1810-1849): Nocturne, No 20 op. Posthumous in C sharp minor Recorded 1948

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

54 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful encore to the movie soundtrack!, July 19, 2003

By 

"vash01" (Phoenix, AZ United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Pianist: Original Recordings by Wladyslaw Szpilman (Audio CD)

After I listened to the CD 'Music from the motion picture The Pianist', which had one piece played by Wladyslaw Szpilman, it was only natural to want to hear more recordings of this great musician and person. This CD has 13 music pieces by Szpilman, and they are wonderful. The movie used mainly Chopin's music, but Szpilman's repertoire- which he preserved through mental piano practice during the war- is quite varied. The CD has him playing Rachmaninov, Schumann, Debussy, Albeniz, Gruenfeld, J.S.Bach, Kreisler, and of course Chopin (Nocturne in C sharp minor appears twice- recorded in 1980 and 1948 respectively).

The highlight of the CD is Szpilman's own composition- Concertino for Piano and Orchestra which he mentions in his book, and which he wrote in 1940- just when the difficult times began.

Szpilman's piano style is different from that of Janusz Olejniczac, whose performances are on the other CD. They both are wonderful in their own way, but it was exciting for me to listen to the real life Pianist. I will look for more works by Wladyslaw Szpilman, including his songs.

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The original recordings by THE PIANIST W. Szpilman, January 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pianist: Original Recordings by Wladyslaw Szpilman (Audio CD)

I saw Polanski's "THE PIANIST" last weekend and was very impressed and wanted to learn more about the real hero of the movie. I searched online for his recordings. After two days I received two CD's from Amazon.com related to Wladyslaw Szpilman: One with his beautiful songs by Wendy Lands and another one with his Original recordings. He plays wonderful Chopin ( i.e. the Nocturne from the final scene of the movie ), Rachmaninoff, Bach and his own music - Concertino for Piano and Orchestra composed in the Warsaw Ghetto in a time of deepest repressions by the Germans. He was a great pianist but I was surprised how optimistic is his music and indeed how American it is. After I learned his story through the movie, now I also got in touch with this man personally, trough his artistry. Great feeling!!

30 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive CD by the Pianist, January 5, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pianist: Original Recordings by Wladyslaw Szpilman (Audio CD)

Could not wait to get my hands on this one. Sorry, but did have to buy it elsewhere. Could not wait. After seing the movie I wanted to know more about this man and what he played. It includes his version of Chopin's Nocturne as performed on the end credits. Great !
Only sorry that I did not get such a good deal as from Amazon. This is a keeper !