Ivan Moravec Plays Debussy & Chopin

Frederic Chopin (Composer), Claude Debussy (Composer), Ivan Moravec (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Ivan Moravec
• Composer: Frederic Chopin, Claude Debussy
• Audio CD (August 22, 1994)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Vox (Classical)
• ASIN: B000001K47
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,127 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

These two CDs were digitally recorded for LP release in 1982-83, and thus add up to just under 95 minutes. With playing on this level, though, they'd still be a bargain at almost any price. The color, shading, and imagination Ivan Moravec applies to Debussy makes the music glow and shimmer. His Chopin playing is some of the best in the business; sample the idiomatic rhythms of the Mazurkas, or the memorable journey he makes out of the Polonaise- Fantaisie. As it happens, the discs sell for a very low price (less than that of a standard full-price single disc), making this set a major bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Amazon.com

Ivan Moravec isn't a superstar in terms of having a glitzy career. But to critics and connoisseurs, he is one of the greatest pianists. His relatively few recordings are scattered among a variety of labels. This collection, from two early-eighties digital LPs, is particularly well recorded--important for a pianist with such wonderful tonal variety. The composers are two of Moravec's specialties, and he gives them consistently colorful, imaginative performances. The short timing (94:00) is compensated by the ultra-low price, making this set a great piano bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exquisite playing, December 7, 1999

By	William D. Bradford (Chelmsford, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

It irked the French of my Dad's generation that the greatest interpreter of Debussy piano music was Walter Gieseking - not exactly a Frenchman.

I don't know if it bothers the French today that the mantle has passed to a Czech. If it does, they should get past it, and just be grateful that anyone can play this beautifully.

The Chopin Mazurkas are I think as close to Moravec's heart as they were to the composer. He often offers them as encores at recitals, and invariably reduces the audience to hushed rapture.

All music lovers should snap up any Moravec album they come across - especially if it includes a Chopin Mazurka.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CD'S, March 22, 2001

By	MOVIE MAVEN (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This is truly one of the most beautiful CD's I own. I first heard of it about 15 years ago, before I owned a CD player: I read in a British classical music magazine that Moravec's playing of Chopin was inspired and that his playing of Debussy was reason enough to buy a disc player. The writer called CD's "silver cookies" and this disc was right at the top of his list of ten favorites. I have listened over and over and still continue to marvel at the subtleties of Moravec's pianism. Gorgeous and delicate, but these are not wispy interpretations which melt like cotton candy. Moravec plays with strength. I love the Chopin CD and think it honestly compares favorably with Rubenstein, but it is the Debussy interpretations that have stayed with me and that I come back to time and time again for a 45 minute vacation from life in New York City. The price listed above is unbeatable...about 1/2 of what I paid. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful performances., November 15, 1999

By A Customer

I stumbled across this album several years ago and couldn't believe my good fortune. I've listened to recorded piano music for a number of years, and while I would by no means consider myself to have any special expertise, I consistently find Mr. Moravec to be the single most communicative pianist in my experience. This set, along with all of his recordings reissued on VAI that I've been able to hear, are simply wonderful.