Chopin - Mazurkas, Ballades & Polonaises

Chopin: Mazurkas (3), Op. 63 Mazurkas (3), Op. 59 Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47 Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 Polonaises (16) Polonaise No. 5 in F sharp minor, Op. 44 Polonaise No. 6 in A flat major, Op. 53 'Héroïque' Mazurka No. 49 in F minor, Op. 68 No. 4

Piotr Anderszewski (piano

Another example of superb programming, Piotr Anderszewski's Chopin recital on Virgin is brilliantly conceived and masterfully executed. Concentrating on the compoer's late works, Anderszewski's program starts with two sets of Mazurkas played with supple sensitivity and sympathetic poetry, builds through the last two Ballades played with dramatic intensity and terrific technique, climaxes in the last two Polonaises played with heroic grandeur and tremendous virtuosity, and closes with the tender and intimate Mazurka in F minor as an encore. Anderszewski's technique is imperious, his tone is sensual, his performances are emotional, and his interpretations are magisterial. Individually, each performance is strong and vital. Taken all together, the whole disc is more than the sum of its parts.

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