Chopin: Etudes, Opp. 10 & 25 | Frederic Chopin, Andrei Gavrilov

Chopin: Etudes, Opp. 10 & 25 | Frederic Chopin, Andrei Gavrilov | Take no prisoners approach to Chopin

classical music:

Chopin: Etudes, Op...

	Chopin: Etudes, Opp. 10 & 25 Frederic Chopin, Andrei Gavrilov EMI Classics, 2001 average customer review:based on 11 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Too much...?

I think there are few pianists who can be accused of playing the Chopin etudes too fast, since it is for most etudes almost impossible to play them faster as the original metronome markings (by Chopin) indicate.
Well, Gavrilov does it! Although the result is at times astonishing, I feel that he tends to overemphasize his technical abilities and sometimes, on careful listening, loses SOME accuracy, not only with regards to "hitting the right keys" but also with regards to dynamic markings and pedaling.
I feel that recording by Pollini and Askenazy (his first Melodya recording) do more justice to these incredible pieces.
Still, this cd is definately worth listening to.

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Take no prisoners approach to Chopin

Andrei Gavrilov starts the first prelude in C major and right away captivates with his barnstorming technique. I can appreciate a more delicate, poetic style and I have experienced recordings in that department yet at the same time it's a thrill to hear a pianist out to impress.

It would be a disservice to write off this recording as just high-energy and nothing more. The less hectic pieces are played beautifully and the full pathos of the slow preludes find Gavrilov completely in tune with the music. This is one approach to Chopin among many and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The sound quality is very good digital.

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Good, but . . .

Gavrilov's etudes are well-executed to be sure, yet without much tonal subtlety and a true legato. His typically aggressive approach can be exciting but I usually turn to other albums before this one. Recorded sound lacks warmth.

The technique is just a part of the musical lexicon

Andrei Gavrilov possesses a bravura technique and an absolute domain of the musical form, that feature is a virtue but also may work out as failure at the moment to over emphasize crescendos or prolongated tremolos. Let's state once more: Chopin is not Liszt. The mission of any pianist is not produce applauses from the gallery, but to create atmospheres, to play these Etudes is like to be in front of a huge canvas, where you must employ every Etude with its own tonality, either more or less.

Recommended, although my favorite set is by far Samson Francois, still available in Amazon.

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