Chopin: Waltzes Nos. 1-14
Product Details
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Still regarded by many as the greatest set of Chopin waltzes ever recorded, Dinu Lipatti's performances continue to astonish. He strokes the keyboard with such delicacy, finesse, and, where required, unobtrusive strength that the music simply seems to play itself. All of Chopin's music is, of course, exceptionally well written for the keyboard, but the sense of rhythmic lift, the inevitability--these are the hallmarks of a great artist. It's terrible to think that when he made this stunning recording, Lipatti was already in pain and dying of leukemia; there's certainly no hint of it in his playing. EMI's transfer has been accomplished with considerable skill, and we can only be grateful that Lipatti was with us long enough to finish this affecting tribute to all that's most beautiful in life. --David Hurwitz
Customer Reviews
Perfect Chopin waltzes
I try not to comment when there are this many reviews unless I feel I have something to add that hasn't already been pointed out. I know that I am extremely critical of pianists, especially when it comes to Chopin. So that readers understand my personal tastes and where I set the bar, Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli playing Chopin: recital, is by far my very favorite Chopin recording and I am most partial to Horowitz and Richter as pianists in general.
But a year ago, I discovered this CD after reading Amazon reviews and decided to try these waltzes since I didn't have the complete set in my classical library. From the first time I listened to Lipatti play these, I knew that there was a moment of magic captured in time when he recorded this (just as Michelangeli did with that one recording).
Perhaps one of the most difficult things to achieve, particularly with Chopin, is a balance between expression and technique. Reviewers often criticize one or the other; saying the pianist took too much liberty and over romanticized the piece or played it to technical perfection but made it too dry by leaving out expression. Having listened and even played some Chopin, I recognize how difficult it is to find this balance.
In my mind, Dinu Lipatti found the perfect balance in this recording. Every note is clear and present. He expresses enough emotion without making it schmaltzy. Hearing him play these waltzes makes me think that there was a lot more brilliance in him to contribute to piano music. It is a real loss and shame that he died so young with so few recordings.
No matter who you prefer to listen to playing Chopin, this recording is well worth owning even if it's not your favorite. Just to compare. I think I can safely say that at some points throughout these pieces while listening you will shake your head in utter dismay and say, "God! How does he do it?!"
I prefer musicality over technical brilliance
Listening to Lipatti is like watching a car race. He plays so fast, I can't really hear the music. He is technically brilliant - no doubt about it, but I don't hear any soul when I listen to him play these waltzes. When I listen to Rubinstein, I seldom notice his technique (which is also amazing) because I am so captivated by the music.
Breathtaking
These extraordinary recordings by Dinu Lipatti are widely regarded as the benchmark against which all other performances of Chopin's waltzes should be measured. Frankly, Lipatti is in a category all his own and these performances render any comparisons pointless.
Lipatti had such a supreme gift as a musician that listening to him play is a unique revelation every time. Even if Chopin is not your cup of tea, hearing this is like stumbling upon a box of priceless, shimmering jewels that never seem to fade. It is not far off the mark to assert, as Karajan did, that when hearing Lipatti play the piano, you do not hear the piano but you hear something close to music in its purest form.
The Barcorolle, Nocturne and Mazurka are played just as exquisitely.
If you are only going to buy one recording of Chopin's Waltzes, this is the one to go for by a million miles.
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