Search - Frederic Chopin, Charles Dutoit, Martha Argerich :: Chopin: Piano Concertos nos. 1 & 2 / Dutoit, Argerich

Disappointment

Canzone | California | 08/13/2004

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I usually like both Argerich and Dutoit, but EMI has not done either of them justice, and to me, Argerich sounds less involved than in other recordings. The real drawback, though, is the sound. Decca provided Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony with clear, open sound that made their recordings enjoyable. To me, EMI's sound here is indistinct, bordering on muddy at times. Orchestral detail is lost, and on a couple of occasions the piano just disappears behind the orchestra. I bought this recording expecting something special, but was quite disappointed."

One of the top recordings - Argerich at her best

kreisleriana16 | Minneapolis, MN USA | 11/21/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a surprise to see Argerich on EMI! Hopefully this will only be the beginning. The Chopin displays not only her technique which is beyond belief but the musicianship which she also has in abundance. Her phrasing and dynamics are spectacular. Argerich knows exactly where to change the pace without being overly romantic. She also knows that when it is time to turn on the technical pyroworks she does so with ease.After hearing her live performances on Philips of the Rachmoninoff 3rd and Tschikowsky's 1st there is little doubt in my mind that she is one of the outstanding pianists of our time. Her live performance a few years back of the Strauss Berlesque with the Berlin Philharmonic was stunning and left no doubt in my mind to that claim.It is a rare combination to see one who is not only a great pianist but a great musician as well. It is almost like she has an uncanny feeling for this music. Dutoit does a good job with the Orchestre du Montreal as always. Can we hope that Dutoit and Argerich will re-unite and make more recordings like this? (Interestingly enough both recorded for Polygram - DG and British Decca. Now they seem to have moved to EMI). With so many excellent recordings now available of these two works this recording remains my first choice at the present time for recent releases."

Great Performances

D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 09/04/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The two piano concerti by Chopin have been staples of the concert hall for many years. However, this is only the second recordings of these concerti by Martha Argerich. Ms. Argerich summons up all of the poetry and pathos that has made Chopin's concertos so popular over the years. She is ably supported by Charles Dutoit and the Orchestre symphonique de Montreal, who fulfil their role as accompaniment well and even manage a bit of acceleration in the Second concerto (first movement) almost as if to catch Ms. Argerich by surprise. Having had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Argerich play the Beethoven Second concerto in person, I know she can drive the concerto along. So here the orchestra gets a turn. When this disc was reviewed by Gramophone the comment was made that it seemed less a studio recording than a relaxed concert performance. I would agree. The concertos come of as the luxuriously tuneful works that they are with brilliant keyboard work by Martha Argerich. This recording is among the best of Chopin's concertos and I highly recommend it."