jay1051971's Full Review: Horowitz Plays Chopin Vol 2
In conclusion to my one-man write-off this week on the music of Frederic Chopin, I have decided to save the best for last. Vladimir Horowitz was, arguably, the greatest concert pianist of the twentieth century. Known for his breath-taking performances, this giant of the classical music world has left an indelible mark in the memories of all who have had the pleasure of hearing him play.
5. Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 in E-flat
6. Nocturne, Op. 55, No. 1 in F Minor
7. Impromptu No. 1, Op. 29
8. Etude, Op. 10, No. 3 in E
9. Etude, Op. 10, No. 4 in C-sharp Minor
10. Ballade No. 1, Op. 23 in G Minor
11. Mazurka, Op 30, No. 4 in C-sharp Minor
12. Scherzo No. 1, Op. 20 in B Minor
Vladimir Horowitz – Piano
Recorded 1947-1957
Breakdown:
“Horowitz Plays Chopin, Volume 2” is a collection of recordings made by Horowitz of a few popular Chopin works. Anyone familiar with Horowitz already knows his ability to interpret the works of masters like Chopin, Liszt and others, exceeds the level of genius. This compilation is no different, as the musical legacy of one of the greatest Romantic composers is imbued with a ravishing majesty.
The largest piece on this disk is the opening composition, Sonata No. 2. Of specific note is the third movement, which is based on a theme that anyone that has ever watched a Bugs Bunny cartoon will immediately recognize. The “funeral march” is a slow, death processional that builds in temper and tone, as it heralds the passing of life. Chopin composed this entire sonata around this movement, with the first two bold and stormy movements complementing the darkly frantic finale. It’s not surprising to find that Chopin completed this sonata after recovering from a nearly fatal illness.
Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 takes on a uniquely authentic feel, as the recording of this piece snaps and crackles from the imperfections of the original recording. Horowitz also beautifully reproduces a couple of nocturnes, a compositional format that Chopin elevated to perfection. The last composition, Scherzo No. 1, could be entitled “schizoid”, as it begins in an insanely frantic manner, before evolving into a tender, quiet mood, and back again to the frustrated madness. There is much in the way of Polish Nationalist sentiment in some of the finer aspects of his compositions, such as the melody to a Polish Christmas song in Scherzo Op. 20, and the Mazurka Op.30, a Polish dance form common to the peasantry. And what collection would be complete without a few etudes, to illustrate not only the technical brilliance of the performer, but the intelligence of the composer as well?
This is a great CD. It was the first Chopin disk I ever owned. To this day, I am still not sure if it was the music of Chopin, or the playing of Horowitz that stirred my love for this type of music. Perhaps it is some combination of the two. I would recommend this disk for anyone looking for a good introduction to Chopin’s music. The only thing that is missing from this disk are a few polonaises – another musical form which Chopin produced a large body of work. Beside this minor flaw, all of the bases are covered, and would give anyone an excellent introduction to the depth of Chopin’s creative genius.
Note: This is the last of five in a series of reviews I have done this week on the music of Frederic Chopin, which began on Monday. Thank you for reading.
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