Search - Frederic Chopin, Fryderyk Chopin, Vlado Perlemuter :: Chopin: Piano Works [Box Set]

Perlemuter's Artistry, Emotion, and Joie de Vivre Make this

Raymond Vacchino | Toronto, ON. Canada | 09/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vlado Perlemuter was taught by Moritz Moszkowski before he was admitted to Cortot's class at the Paris Conservatoire. Gabriel Faure was its director at this time. Perlemuter had the privilege of meeting and studying Maurice Ravel's entire piano works with him. Ravel was present when Perlemuter, one of the first, performed them all in two recitals. Being totally and personally involved with Cortot, considered a leading authority of Chopin's music and with Ravel, one of the world's foremost composers of French music, launched Perlemuter into a career as an internationally distinguished, all- encompassing concert pianist and professor. This brings us to his wondrous and breathtaking performances of Chopin's piano works. In the nocturnes one feels that in them Perlemuter was less concerned with pianistic considerations, and more with his most intimate thoughts and feelings. Nevertheless, it is clear that they derive in great measure from his very personal style of playing, contemporary accounts of which invariably stress the extreme delicacy and the beauty of sound he could achieve in cantabile passages. Though he was capable of astonishing virtuosity, it was always the poetic quality of his playing that made the deepest impression. In the performance of the Barcarolle, Perlemuter concentrates on its chief characteristics, the atmosphere of languorous ease and opulence.The opening is striking and Perlemuter conveys his typical innate sense of what is effective in performance. In the thirds and sixths he brings glitter and brilliance to the melody. Where the tune comes to an end, a series of rising chords allows Perlemuter to produce an effect similar to the excitement and tension of a vocal cadenza. The sonatas and studies are probably the greatest of Chopin's compositional output. In the hands of Perlemuter an intense level of inspiration evolves, the inspiration is of such uniform superlativity that the attention of the listener is held by the sheer miracle of continuous creativity. Perlemuter handles Chopin's material in all its widely varying aspects with superb mastery. Chopin's preludes, which are the most perfect examples of the romantic lyrical miniature, convey Perlemuter playing from the bottom of his heart and soul. His treatment of the intimate and delicate phrases have affinities with the type of poem known in German literature as 'the poem known in single deeply felt event or spiritual experience.' Chopin's preludes are the purest expression of the trend. The four ballades occupy a unique position in his output, and, one may say, in music. Perlemuter's understanding of the ballades is most profound. He is also a Chopin musician and in his playing of the ballades reveals the fluidity of our feelings, their frequent overflowings towards infinity, their heroic concentrations, their frenzied ecstasies which lightly face the shattering of rocks, their impotent despairs, in which thought darkens, and the very desire of action perishes. This music shows Perlemuter as tender and tempestuous, tranquil and passionate, heart-reaching, potent and overwhelming. The innate tendency of the mazurkas towards syncopation accents on third beats or sometimes on the second are a constant challenge to pianists alike. Perlemuter transforms these popular dances into forms of serious music, music that is an achievement of a genius. He makes the devilish rhythms burst with life and activity and fully develops their musical personalities precariously. Overall they are given artistically valid expression and highly articulate inspiration.

This entire collection of Chopin's piano works is a privilege to hear and have. A privilege created by one of the world's great concert pianists. Vlado Perlemuter represents the piano repertoire with superior knowledge bestowed upon him by the wondrous composers and pianists such as Moszkowski, Alfred Cortot, Gabriel Faure and Maurice Ravel. From 1951 to 1977 Perlemuter played and toured extensively in West and Eastern Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia, and had given Master Classes in Salzburg, Tokyo, Montreal and Melbourne.

It was in Montreal where I met Vlado Perlemuter and consequently played for him in master classes. The greatest years of my life were spent studying with Vlado Perlemuter at the Paris Conservatoire. He prepared me for a life filled with music making and teaching. I owe so much to this magnificant human being, and try to instill his teachings into my own each and everyday.

Vlado Perlemuter's life and career will never be forgotten, and his performance's and recordings will always remain as a goal for the younger generation of pianists to strive to attain.



Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus.(MT) A.Mus. L.R.S.M. Licentiate (hon.)"

"He is not only a great virtuoso but a great musician"

Luke birkla | Leeds, UK | 06/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"said Alfred Cortot.
Vlado Perlemuter possessed an equisite tonal pallette allied with a lucid and insightful musical mind. These qualities, which so many pianists lack, are evident in Perlemuter's playing from the opening phrase. Technique is no issue in great music, rather the flow of the music, inexorably towards strangely predictable yet uniquely spontaneous results is the fruit of the artistic search.
Perlemuter's extraordinary ability to render the simplicity of expression, or directness/clarity of expression in Chopin's music, is special.
I can't beleive this incomparable artist is not better known!This makes a good contrast to many self conscious chopin players, as Perlumeter brings us the music, without the forced imprint of the player impinging on the music."

No. One

A. Galperin | 02/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I completely support the first reviewer of this CD set. Vlado Perlemuter was a "musician's musician" who played Chopin without any mannerisms and romantic allure. The results are emotionally intense and evocative recordings without the gloss...just Chopin."