Chopin: 12 Etudes op. 10 / 12 Etudes op. 25

I got this CD over the holidays, and I just love it so much. The Chopin Etudes are some of my favorite classical compositions of all time, and I feel Maurizio Pollini did an excellent, excellent job playing here. His technique was nearly unmatched. This is one of my favorite CDs that I own! For one thing, all of the etudes were played extremely well, technically. For example, the first etude, with its arpeggios, was played so evenly but beautifully. The melody in the bass was smooth and lovely. Pollini was able to show his awesome technical ability in all of these pieces. The 11th etude in the Op.25 set, also known as the "Winter Wind" etude, was a good example of how Pollini was able to play a chaotic, angry piece as well as the others. This etude is one of my favorites in the set, and Pollini played it perfectly. Also, there are more sad/mellow pieces in the set, too. Etude Op.10, No.3 and Op.25, No.1 are two good examples of how Pollini was able to produce a different kind of atmosphere than the other chaotic pieces. Such pieces were also played excellently. Another thing I like about this CD is the sound quality. Although this has nothing to do with the pianist, Deutshe Grammophon CDs have good sound quality, compared to some other CDs I have. Another CD I got over the holidays, which was by Hyperion Records, just did not have the same sound quality. That recording was made in the mid-90s, and this one by Deutshe Grammophon was even earlier, but the Deutshe Grammophon recording is by far clearer and crisper than the rather muffled sound of the other CD. One criticism that I have that other reviewers have pointed out, is that Pollini, although he plays technically awesome, often lacks poetry and musicality. Although I feel that he does indeed lack musicality, I think that in this case, this is not too much of a problem, because etudes are supposed to be studies to improve technique. However, I have heard better interpretations of some of the individual interpretations. Overall, I highly recommend this CD for anyone who is serious or just is interested in Chopin. I feel that this is one of the best recordings of the Etudes, and will be enjoyed for a long, long time!

I love Chopin's Etudes, and Pollini's interpretation is my favorite - passionate and virtuoso. While some others play them like robotic finger exercises, he embedded passions and vitality into the performance, creating a vivid and vivacious movie as you listen to each masterpiece. Op.10 No.3 "Tristesse" - I had to agree with other users' review that the accelerations in tempo in the second theme was a little too excessive. Maybe his interpretation is to show the excruciation by furiousness arose from the melancholy? Although we can't find a unity of this piece from all the artists who have recorded this, I prefer Stanislav Bunin's version. Op.25 No.1 "Aeolian Harp" - Pollini brings out the beautiful harp-like sound with the rapid arpeggios. He plays it a little quicker than others, but his arpeggios are crisper. It is elegantly played. Op.25 No.5 - some romanticized it as "wronged notes", this piece begins with a series of semitones like katzenjammer and suddenly transitions to a fairy-tale like, harmonious melody. Pollini made a smooth conversion of these distinctive 2 sections and presents them like one goes through the vicissitudes of life. Op.25 No.12 "Ocean" - Pollini's version is my favorite. While others play this piece like ripples, he emphasizes more force and makes it like treacherous waves.

First, I have to give kudos to the dealer GLENNTHEBOOKSELLER. I have ordered from them numerous times and the quality of their used CDs is fantastic, competitively priced and arrive promptly through just regular ground shipping. Support this great seller! Pollini is among the great Chopin interpreters of his generation- from his mentor Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli to Radu Lupu, Garrick Olhsson, Murray Perahia among other champions. The remastering of the early 70's vinyl is excellent, full of glistening highs. I boosted the bass and midrange frequencies modestly to balance out the EQ, although for your sound system listening with flat EQ might be just fine.

I was looking for a collection of Chopin Etudes and this CD was one of the more highly recommended. When it arrived I listened diligently. While the playing was "flawless" there seemed to be something missing. Yes, all the notes sounded right and the technique never seemed forced but none of the pieces grabbed me in any way. I was somewhat shocked and surprised. I listened again and same reaction. Thinking maybe I was just in a weird listening mood and must be missing something I put on Horowitz' rendition of Op 25 No 1 from "The Last Recording." It was like listening to an entirely different piece filled with nuance and emotion. It was obvious at this point that I was not crazy and that while Pollini certainly renders a technically competent rendition of Chopin there just seems to be a huge emotional void. I just can't see myself constantly returning to this CD. It just has nothing to stand out and grab me. It is convenient as a reference for a piano student to hear the Etudes. For the joy of listening I will stick with Horowitz though.

I recently got back into listening to classical music and I am really glad that I purchased this recording! My review won't be a sophisticated review (like some other reviewers) to priase the expressiveness, talent, style or emotion of the pianist - just one listen of the recording makes it obvious that Pollini is a brilliant pianist! The first time I listened to this recording I got completely immersed in the music, and before I realized it, I had listened to all 24 of the etudes! That was something I hadn't expected...I had expected that I would need a break after the first 12. Instead, the etudes seemed to flow into each other and keep me rivited to the music! I loved it! I think this is a CD that every classical music lover should have, especially if they enjoy piano!

Listening to this clean recording provides just another reason why Maurizio Pollini was born to play Frederic Chopin! His peerless playing brings the unique inner voicings of these challenging studies. Each etude showcases the rudiments of must-have classical piano technique! And Pollini takes on the formidable task of making each one sound like child's play! Thank you, Amazon for making this recording available! A collector's item!!!

Even 40 years after its release, Pollini's recording of the Chopin Etudes is still the best. This album was one of the first classical records I ever bought on vinyl in the 1970s; it was astonishing then, and it makes the transition to CD in grand style. I had hesitated to buy this album on CD, because I am trying to convert my collection to as many digital recordings as possible. However, even though it is an analog recording, it still rises above any other performance. BUY IT!

I am out-of-date on concert pianists, so I took a chance that a Deutsche Grammophon recording would not disappoint. Chopin, in general, is a favourite of mine, but I was particularly interested in hearing Opus 25, No.1 in A-flat major which, for reasons strange and unknown, was new to me--often called "The Harp Etude." The pianist, as one might expect, "does the work," while the harp carries the melody. The harpist seems to be unamed, but I have since gathered that Maurizio Pollini won international acclaim for his rendition of these Etudes. In any case, I am very happy with my choice.

Ho acquistato questo Cd per la prima volta a fine anni Ottanta e dopo qualche anno l'ho perduto, motivo per il quale avevo il desiderio di averlo di nuovo. CD in perfetto stato, ottimo acquisto.

Pollini lives up to his reputation. This is an amazing recording of the Chopin eludes. Certainly a must for classical music listeners.

Bra

Diese Aufnahme mit Maurizio Pollini ist einer der besten Einspielungen der Etüden,die ich kenne.Alles ist ausgewogen. Die Musik ist nie schleppend,oder gar abgedroschen. Die Dominanz liegt in der großen Lebendigkeit und Vitalität die der Pianist den Zuhören vermittelt. Die einzigartige Musik Chopin wird dadurch fesselt für den Zuhörer. Schön das es diese Aufnahme auch als CD gibt. Ich habe lange gesucht. Ich hatte diese Aufnahme 1974 als Schallplatte. Sie war in den Jahren nicht mehr auffindbar. So freue ich mich diesen wunderbaren und einzigartigen Klang der Chopin Etüden zu besitzen. Eine Freude für das Herz Nur zu empfehlen.

幼い頃からショパンと言えばルービンシュタインでした。でも、ルービンシュタインのエチュードってあまり無いんです。そこで、今回評価の高いポリーニ盤を購入しました。 評価は文句無しです。完璧と評されるテクニックも凄いですが、技術だけではなく情熱を感じる名演だと思います。興味のある方はぜひ一聴の価値ありですよ。決して損はありません。