Faceless Chopin without a glimmer of real feeling
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 04/16/2010
(2 out of 5 stars)
"In 1975, when Barenboim could do no wrong in the eyes of British critics, he released a Chopin recording of the two great sonatas that was completely out of sync with the composer, and even the most craven reviewer was forced to concede that the playing was "a bit" off. By 1982, when this set of Nocturnes was released, the Gramophone had grown bolder and began to call a spade a spade: :Barenboim conveys no impression of identity with any of these pieces. How is it possible to perform the opening page of Op. 27 No. I without any evident sense of the music's mystery?"
There's really not much to add. As both pianist and conductor, Barenboim feels that he is up to performing any piece by any composer, it seems, and unfortunately, that results in accomplished run-throughs when he is off form. the lack of any real feeling for Chopin's music must be obvious to everyone but him. The only good thing I can say is that this CD isn't as blunt and faceless as some of his earlier outings. to be avoided."