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we have pleased to offer you to Horowitz Plays Chopin , Vol. 1 Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful 
Good in parts, September 22, 2009 This review is from: Horowitz Plays Chopin , Vol. 1 (Audio CD) This CD is let down by a truly terrible rendition of the G Minor Ballade, which crashes and groans to a ludicrously over-stated climax. There are many better recordings of this timeless masterpiece available. (Particularly impressive from the pre-stereo era is a 1953 recording by Claudio Arrau.) The rest of the CD, however, is saved by a magical performance of the F Minor Ballade (one of the best I've heard) and some lovely etudes and waltzes. In short, it's a mixed bag - good in places, but don't buy it for the 1st Ballade.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful 
mixed review, November 17, 2008 By Brother John (The O.C.) - See all my reviews This review is from: Horowitz Plays Chopin , Vol. 1 (Audio CD) Two of the disk's main pieces are the first Ballade and the Polonaise-Fantasie. Somehow RCA believed his mannered London performances were the ones to reissue on this package. Too bad, as the other pieces are quite nice. Interestingly his Ballade #4 and Barcarolle are rather similar to his earlier mono RCA recordings (ironically). The Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise is an incredible performance from the mid-40's (which really doesn't fit in the rest of the disk - but certainly worth having!).
2 of 4 people found the following review helpful RCA's Chopin Horowitz Grab-Bag, September 15, 2006 By This review is from: Horowitz Plays Chopin , Vol. 1 (Audio CD) This CD reissue contains all of Horowitz's stereo RCA Chopin recordings, along with an early mono item.
Chopin's Polonaise-Fantasy was a Horowitz specialty for many years. He was playing this piece as far back as the 1920s, when few pianists dared to touch such a structurally complex work. His best recording of this piece remains the 1966 version taped live in Carnegie Hall. This can be found on Volume 3 of Sony's complete Horowitz issue. The 1982 version is among the most mannered playing Horowitz ever approved for commercial release. The phrasing and metric pulse sag, and the piece fails to cohere.
Chopin's Ballade in G minor was another piece Horowitz played constantly. Again, his best version of this work can be found elsewhere, including Volumes 3 (1965) and 4 (1968) of the Sony set. The aforementioned problems are also in evidence here. In addition, some of Horowitz's playing is technically sub-par, with an awkward coda that sounds banged... Read more
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| 3 of 3 people found the following review helpful Good in parts, This review is from: Horowitz Plays Chopin , Vol. 1 (Audio CD) This CD is let down by a truly terrible rendition of the G Minor Ballade, which crashes and groans to a ludicrously over-stated climax. There are many better recordings of this timeless masterpiece available. (Particularly impressive from the pre-stereo era is a 1953 recording by Claudio Arrau.) The rest of the CD, however, is saved by a magical performance of the F Minor Ballade (one of the best I've heard) and some lovely etudes and waltzes. In short, it's a mixed bag - good in places, but don't buy it for the 1st Ballade. 1 of 2 people found the following review helpful mixed review, By Brother John (The O.C.) - See all my reviews This review is from: Horowitz Plays Chopin , Vol. 1 (Audio CD) Two of the disk's main pieces are the first Ballade and the Polonaise-Fantasie. Somehow RCA believed his mannered London performances were the ones to reissue on this package. Too bad, as the other pieces are quite nice. Interestingly his Ballade #4 and Barcarolle are rather similar to his earlier mono RCA recordings (ironically). The Andante Spianato and Grand Polonaise is an incredible performance from the mid-40's (which really doesn't fit in the rest of the disk - but certainly worth having!). 2 of 4 people found the following review helpful RCA's Chopin Horowitz Grab-Bag, By This review is from: Horowitz Plays Chopin , Vol. 1 (Audio CD) This CD reissue contains all of Horowitz's stereo RCA Chopin recordings, along with an early mono item.Chopin's Polonaise-Fantasy was a Horowitz specialty for many years. He was playing this piece as far back as the 1920s, when few pianists dared to touch such a structurally complex work. His best recording of this piece remains the 1966 version taped live in Carnegie Hall. This can be found on Volume 3 of Sony's complete Horowitz issue. The 1982 version is among the most mannered playing Horowitz ever approved for commercial release. The phrasing and metric pulse sag, and the piece fails to cohere. Chopin's Ballade in G minor was another piece Horowitz played constantly. Again, his best version of this work can be found elsewhere, including Volumes 3 (1965) and 4 (1968) of the Sony set. The aforementioned problems are also in evidence here. In addition, some of Horowitz's playing is technically sub-par, with an awkward coda that sounds banged... Read more |
› See all 7 customer reviews...
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