Frederic Chopin Madeleine Forte - Chopin Played by Madeleine Forte (16 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Frederic Chopin, Madeleine Forte
Chopin Played by Madeleine Forte
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Classical

Track Listings (16) - Disc #1
1. Ballade for piano No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52, CT. 5
2. Etude for piano No. 18 in G sharp minor, Op. 25/6, CT. 31
3. Etude for piano No. 5 in G flat major, Op. 10/5, CT. 18
4. Nocturne for piano No. 4 in F major, Op. 15/1, CT. 111
5. Nocturne for piano No. 16 in E flat major, Op. 55/2, CT. 123
6. Barcarolle for piano in F sharp major, Op. 60, CT. 6
7. Prelude for piano No. 13 in F sharp major, Op. 28/13, CT. 178
8. Prelude for piano No. 14 in E flat minor, Op. 28/14, CT. 179
9. Prelude for piano No. 15 in D flat major, Op. 28/15, CT. 180
10. Prelude for piano No. 16 in B flat minor, Op. 28/16, CT. 181
11. Prelude for piano No. 17 in A flat major, Op. 28/17, CT. 182
12. Prelude for piano No. 18 in F minor, Op. 28/18, CT. 183
13. Prelude for piano No. 25 in C sharp minor, Op. 45, CT. 190
14. Mazurka for piano No. 11 in E minor, Op. 17/2, CT. 61
15. Mazurka for piano No. 12 in A flat major, Op. 17/3, CT. 62
16. Polonaise for piano No. 6 in A flat major ('H?roique'), Op. 53, CT. 155

CD Details

All Artists: Frederic Chopin, Madeleine Forte
Title: Chopin Played by Madeleine Forte
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Romeo Records
Release Date: 1/29/2002
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Forms & Genres, Ballads, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830)
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 675754464523

CD Reviews

Chopin on the Erard grand by Madeleine Forte

John Rothgeb | Caulfield, MO United States | 02/18/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the main challenges to the performer on period keyboard instruments is the attainment of a cantabile style of playing. The 1881 Erard grand used for this recording, for example, lacks the sustaining power of the modern concert grand. Its attack envelope is more percussive in effect, and its tonal decay more rapid. This suits the instrument well for more bravura textures such as those of the two Etudes presented here, as well as the Preludes in B-flat minor and F minor, where its limitations (by modern standards) actually promote a desirable transparency. Cantilena passages such as those in the Nocturnes included here, on the other hand, are another matter. Their convincing expression imposes the most rigorous demands on the performer in both technical and psychic domains. Pianist Madeleine Forte displays consummate mastery in both areas, imbuing Chopin's lyric lines with an eloquence seldom matched even by the best performers on modern instruments, and without sacrificing the indispensable support of bass and inner voices. Her playing of the E-flat major Nocturne, Op. 55, No. 2, in particular, is exquisite in this respect.
Mme. Forte's formidable technique should be savored not only in the more obviously spectacular passages but also in such details as the seemingly artless rising glissandi in parallel sixths that open the great A-flat Polonaise; as composed portamenti, these figures require (and receive) the utmost legatissimo articulation together with a flawless dynamic control.
Especially rewarding artistically is Mme. Forte's performance of the A-flat major Prelude, where her beautifully nuanced rubato animates the continuity and the marvelously delicate sotto voce of the concluding refrain virtually casts a spell.
This is wonderful playing of some of the greatest piano literature. It is most highly recommended."