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With the exception of these two early piano concertos, most of Frederic Chopin's output was devoted to miniatures. Through these concertos, however, Chopin transformed the piano into an ideal vehicle for romanticism and established his own reputation as the premiere soloist of his day. Written in the artistically sheltered world of Warsaw, No. 1 was premiered by Chopin when he was 20 and reflects his intense wish for Polish independence. The centrality of the piano is revealed in the opening, Brahmsian "Maestoso", and continues with the idyllic, moonlit reverie of "Romanze". In the concluding rondo, the composer offers authentic excerpts of Cracow folk music. Concerto No. 2 (actually written before No. 1, but published later) once again places the piano in a prominent role, though the conventional sonata form is discarded for a theme-and-variations approach in the opening movement. Charles Dutoit keeps the reconstituted forces of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra (now consisting of strings, four horns, two trumpets, winds in pairs, timpani, and trombone) in a state of constant alert, thereby allowing Argerich to create a spontaneous, acrobatic performance that spins with the abandon of fireworks. There is no reason to consider this collaboration to be anything less than definitive. --Kevin Mulhall
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
101 of 101 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Most of those who buy classical music recordings will have these Concertos in some form or another, and may be wondering why they should purchase yet another rendition. Well the simple reason is that this CD is the only one that I have heard to do full justice to all parts of these often misunderstood works.
Chopin's piano concertos were written while he was still a young man, and are often criticised for the rather academic and self-concious outer movements. Indeed the long tutti that opens the first concerto is as far from 'Chopinesque' music as he ever got (it was even rumoured that the orchestration was carried out by a colleague), and the 'mazurka' embedded in the third movement is playful, but a world apart from any of the haunting and beautiful solo piano music.
However, the stoic and occasionally flat-footed writing of the outer movements in both concertos,frame two slow movements of such inspiration that they have (in my opinion) yet to be equalled by any composer since. These melodies are amongst the most evocative ever written, and are delicatley underpinned with a subtle orchestral score that lets every golden note hang in the air.
Argerich and Dutoit are absolutley aware of this, and while they dance, whirl and march round the outer parts with all the panache required, they melt into the inner sections with the utmost telepathic polish and grace. I am not Argerich's biggest fan (I think the Rachmaninov D minor concerto with Chailly is horribly over-rated), but her wonderful sense of timing and very subtle rubato turn these performances into pure gold.
The recording quality is good, but the intensity of the performance is the real reason to buy this CD. It is clear that they both love these works very much - I think anyone who has heard them would love them too.
Chopin's piano concertos were written while he was still a young man, and are often criticised for the rather academic and self-concious outer movements. Indeed the long tutti that opens the first concerto is as far from 'Chopinesque' music as he ever got (it was even rumoured that the orchestration was carried out by a colleague), and the 'mazurka' embedded in the third movement is playful, but a world apart from any of the haunting and beautiful solo piano music.
However, the stoic and occasionally flat-footed writing of the outer movements in both concertos,frame two slow movements of such inspiration that they have (in my opinion) yet to be equalled by any composer since. These melodies are amongst the most evocative ever written, and are delicatley underpinned with a subtle orchestral score that lets every golden note hang in the air.
Argerich and Dutoit are absolutley aware of this, and while they dance, whirl and march round the outer parts with all the panache required, they melt into the inner sections with the utmost telepathic polish and grace. I am not Argerich's biggest fan (I think the Rachmaninov D minor concerto with Chailly is horribly over-rated), but her wonderful sense of timing and very subtle rubato turn these performances into pure gold.
The recording quality is good, but the intensity of the performance is the real reason to buy this CD. It is clear that they both love these works very much - I think anyone who has heard them would love them too.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I am more than amazed by the two star review given to this recording . Splendid as Argerich's recording coupled with the Liszt 1 from her youth is, it yields in no way to this recording in my opinion.
The Chopin 2 is I think a better and more characteristic performance than her recording with Rostropovich .
I have no fault to find with the orchestral accompaniment. Dutoit is sympathetic and responsive - indeed these are readings which show that Chopin was no means as bad an orchestrator as some would have you believe . Most of all, however , the recordings are about not Argerich but Chopin. Time and again her playing brings out the endless invention of this composer and unlike some plainer performances they never bore.
This is a great recording of marvellous works that will give purchasers tremendous joy and satisfaction . Up there with Pollini/Kletzki and Lipatti in No 1 and Rubinstein in both .
Superb.
The Chopin 2 is I think a better and more characteristic performance than her recording with Rostropovich .
I have no fault to find with the orchestral accompaniment. Dutoit is sympathetic and responsive - indeed these are readings which show that Chopin was no means as bad an orchestrator as some would have you believe . Most of all, however , the recordings are about not Argerich but Chopin. Time and again her playing brings out the endless invention of this composer and unlike some plainer performances they never bore.
This is a great recording of marvellous works that will give purchasers tremendous joy and satisfaction . Up there with Pollini/Kletzki and Lipatti in No 1 and Rubinstein in both .
Superb.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is one of Martha Argerich's most inspired performances on CD. It's a truly unique take on the Chopin Piano Concertos, more spontaneous and at the same time mature than Argerich's earlier interpretations. Her rapport with Dutoit and his orchestra is spellbinding - listen to the horn fanfares at the finale of No. 2, for once sounding really playful and challenging the pianist to play with even more wit.
A minor caveat is the murky acoustic, but it doesn't detract from the quality of the performances at all. For my money, this is the definitive Chopin Concertos.
A minor caveat is the murky acoustic, but it doesn't detract from the quality of the performances at all. For my money, this is the definitive Chopin Concertos.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Good, but with reservations.
With due deference to reviewers with far greater musical knowledge than I, I have listened twice to this before passing it on the the friend for whom I bought it, and my impression... Read more
Published 4 months ago by cactusroger!
Classic Excellence
This is a superb recording in it's sound quality and rendering of these two magificent works of a great composer
Published 4 months ago by Dave
Lame performances
There's is nothing new in this recording of Chopin's both piano concertos. Argerich already made a magnifiscent classic recording of the great e-minor concerto in the late 60'ies... Read more
Published 21 months ago by abidoful
A 'Must Have' in every Classical Collection
If you are 'NEW' to collecting Classical Music CD's or MP3's and simply know that you like beautiful melodies, you will love tracks 2 3 5 and 6 of this six track item. Read more
Published on 26 April 2010 by M. Simpson
what can i say? martha argerich!
her playing has always been sensational, now it has a maturity that, with those hands, is beyond words. Brava!!!
Published on 14 April 2010 by Christopher Broughton
Absolute classic
This is a classic performance of both concertos, thoughtful, quixotic and virtuosic. Argerich has all the technique, of course, for these concertos, plus heaps of whimsy. Read more
Published on 16 Mar 2010 by Mr Swallow
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