CHOPIN Works for Piano & Orchestra
JAN LISIECKI, Piano
NDR Elbphilharmonie / Krzysztof
Urbanski
Deutsche Grammophon 479 6824 / *****1/2
The
two piano concertos of Frederic Chopin (1810-1849), while very popular, have
been over-recorded. It is thus a welcome change to hear the other four of the
Polish pianist-composer's works for piano and orchestra. Composed during his
teenaged years and early-20s, these were conceived as showpieces for a rising
virtuoso.
The best-known is the Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise Brillante
(Op.22), often heard as a solo work. Tacking together two completely
different pieces, a nocturne-like cantabile and extroverted digital
display are keenly contrasted.
Variations
On La Ci Darem From Mozart’s Don Giovanni
(Op.2) is heard on occasion. A work so inventive and scintillating, Robert
Schumann hailed, “Hats off, a genius!” after hearing it for the first time. The
true rarities are the Krakowiak (Op.14), a fast Polish folk-dance and Fantasy
on Polish Airs (Op.13), with Chopin's nationalism proudly worn like a badge
during his touring years.
These receive marvellous performances filled with
insight and vitality by young Polish-Canadian pianist Jan Lisiecki, who had
previously recorded Chopin's 24 Études to great success. The German
orchestral accompaniment led by fellow Pole Krzsztof Urbanski is by no means
perfunctory, adding to a pleasurable hour of easy listening.
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