Daniel Barenboim: The Warsaw Recital
Daniel Barenboim plays Chopin
Chopin:
- Fantasia in F minor, Op. 49
- Nocturne No. 8 in D flat major, Op. 27 No. 2
- Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35 ‘Marche funèbre’
- Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60
- Waltz No. 4 in F major ‘Grande Valse Brillante’, Op. 34 No. 3
- Waltz No. 3 in A minor ‘Grande Valse Brillante’, Op. 34 No. 2
- Waltz No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 64 No. 2
- Berceuse in D flat major, Op. 57
- Polonaise No. 6 in A flat major, Op. 53 ‘Héroïque’
- Waltz No. 6 in D flat major, Op. 64 No. 1 ‘Minute Waltz’
Performed by Daniel Barenboim, piano
Two releases by Mr. Barenboim are devoted to Chopin: In this CD we have a solo recital recorded in Warsaw, with wonderful Waltzes, a Polonaise, a Fantasia, a Nocturne and the B flat minor Sonata. On a separate CD there are Chopin’s two piano concertos, accompanied by the Staatskapelle Berlin under Andris Nelsons, captured live at the Ruhr Piano Festival in July 2010.
Many of these piano solo selections are beautifully played by Mr. Barenboim. Every artist, however, needs to be on the lookout to avoid the addition of huge tempo changes and other expressive alterations that – it seems to me – the composer may have not intended. This is a very fine line which must be carefully watched: Leaving expression out entirely renders these masterpieces cold and devoid of feeling. Yet, one must create a balance of adherence to one’s opinion of Chopin’s original intentions.
Here is a promotion video for this CD, with Mr. Barenboim explaining and performing:
Tags: Daniel Barenboim, Chopin recital