Frederic Chopin – Piano Concerto No.2 & 24 Preludes Pires) [1994]

Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No.2 in F minor Op.21
1. I. Maestoso
2. II. Larghetto
3. III. Allegro vivace

24 Preludes Op.28
4. No.1 in C major – Agitato
5. No.2 in A minor – Lento
6. No.3 in G major – Vivace
7. No.4 in E minor – Largo
8. No.5 in D major - Allegro molto
9. No.6 in B minor - Lento assai
10. No.7 in A major – Andantino
11. No.8 in F sharp minor - Molto agitato
12. No.9 in E major – Largo
13. No.10 in C sharp minor - Allegro molto
14. No.11 in B major – Vivace
15. No.12 in G sharp minor – Presto
16. No.13 in F sharp major – Lento
17. No.14 in E flat minor – Allegro
18. No.15 in D flat major – Sostenuto
19. No.16 in B flat minor - Presto con fuoco
20. No.17 in A flat major – Allegretto
21. No.18 in F minor - Allegro molto
22. No.19 in E flat major – Vivace
23. No.20 in C minor – Largo
24. No.21 in B flat major – Cantabile
25. No.22 in G minor - Molto agitato
26. No.23 in F major – Moderato
27. No.24 in D minor - Allegro appassionato

Maria Joao Pires – piano
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 
André Previn - conductor

Chopin's Second Concerto was actually the first that he wrote. Because it was the second in order of publication, the number two has been stuck to it ever since. Actually, most listeners find it the more successful of the two from a purely formal point of view, because he seems more ready to follow his own natural inclinations in the first movement, and less worried about fitting his unusual and attractive melodies into a predetermined structure. In any case, it's slightly the more popular of the two and Pires, who is a fine Chopin pianist, understands and projects the music as if to the manner born. The Op. 28 Preludes make a very satisfying coupling, and are just as well done. ---David Hurwitz, amazon.com

Issued in 1994, this recording predates by two years her famous performance of Chopin's Nocturnes, but is equally rewarding. Both Concerto in F minor and 24 Preludes op.28 feature the highest pianistic eloquence and in her interpretation are fabulously sensitive, lyrical, dreamy, and full of passion. This is Chopin with perception of tenderness and drama of human existence. The recording is crystal clear. The CD won the "Grand Prix du Disque Frédéric Chopin" Warsaw Competition in 1995. ---Jacek Walinski, amazon.com

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