Search - Frederic Chopin, Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra :: Chopin For Relaxation

Chopin for Relaxation

Sue Bennett | Sulphur, Louisiana USA | 06/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a word: SUPERB! I can't decide who loves this CD the most: my Lab, my plants or me. It really is splendid and I find myself reaching for it more than any other CD in my collection. Truly excellent. Good for the novice who "hates" classical music. It is classical music... but it's not. Great background music, so I sometimes let it repeat itself all day long."

Explore the romance and poetry of Chopin

Alan Lekan | Boulder, CO | 03/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an ideal CD if you are looking for some "nice piano music" or want to explore the music of Fryderyk Chopin [1810-1849]. Chopin was born in Poland but lived most of his life in Paris among the glamorous, wealthy, aristocratic and artistic. Stories of his lavish life, beautiful female students and love affairs are legendary. Having few musical influences and minimal formal training, he developed a talent so unique that it seemed to appear out of no where. His love and complete dedication as a composer and musician was the piano which was the focal point of all his compositions.



But what made Chopin so famous was his abundent and unique solo piano music that has an almost universal appeal even today. His music was unlike anything heard before with its dreamy fluidity ... sensuous unfolding ... and graceful, elegant lines. The title most often bestowed on him, "The Poet of the Piano," is most fitting indeed. Chopin's equistite manners and ethereal playing brought him great success and adoration among the elite of society who gathers in the fashionable, Parisian salons. Perhaps due to his frail health, he (and his smaller-scale music) seemed to fit better such intimate surroundings than the large concert hall. Surprisingly, Chopin rarely played in such larger venues in spite of being the greatest pianist virtuoso in the world at that time.



The sixteen selections on this CD feature some of Chopin's more reflective, quiet pieces that showcase his poetic talents. From the long, flowing concerto slow movements to the dreamy Nocturnes to the "academic" Etudes, Chopin's elegance and unique aristry overflows. All pieces are musically rich, beautiful and treasured by many a Chopin fan. If you are wondering about the titles (often in French), these merely are generic descriptions of the type of composition. Preludes are short, lyrical miniatures. Nocturnes have a dreamy, nighttime feel to them. Chopin's Waltzes, Polanaises and Mazurkas were based on the dances that era, often of his native Poland in the case of the last two. Etudes are more "lessons" highlighting a specific techinique, but in the case of Chopin (and Debussy too), are melodious songs in themselves. A Barcarolle is a work inspired by the music of Venetian gondoliers featuring a swaying accompanyment suggesting the 'rocking of a boat to and fro.'



The number of musicians recording Chopin in the last decades in endless. Only the longer-term classical music fan will be able to differentiate the "good" from the "best" interpreters. For the average person, the performances featured here by pianists Emanuel Ax, Peter Serkin and Andrei Nokolsky are sufficiently excellent to learn and enjoy this wonderful music. Serkin's Nocturne has expecially a breathtaking artistry. The sound quality is clear and full and does not detract from the music.



For those wondering if there are any "loud moments" in this quiet "Relaxation" CD that will startle you from a slumber ... yes, there are three such moments (in the two concertos and track 10) - but these last only a few seconds and can be worked around with a CD-player programming feature if needed. (Still, the producers could have easily picked a gentle and charming waltz over the nervous Etude of track 10 whose dissonant outbursts seem something of a cruel joke in such otherwise composed music). So, all-in-all, a really great CD to explore the romance and poetry of the one of the greatest composers and artists of the piano - Chopin."

My first classical CD!!

duggalolly | beyond the waterfall | 03/19/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Two years ago, I heard the opening track from this CD (the Piano concerto No. 1) in a bookstore, and I just knew I needed to buy this CD! I don't normally listen to a lot of classical music, but I am always expanding my musical tastes, and this CD has me hooked! The CD is all piano music, except for the opening and closing tracks, which are accompanied by orchestra. Not only is the music soothing and relaxing as the title suggests, but it also has an element of romance to it. Chopin was a romantic, and it shows! This CD is filled with surprises... the "Aeolian Harp" etude is especially a standout, with the piano being played in a gorgeous "rippling" fashion which makes it sound like a harp! And, two years since I originally heard it in the bookstore, I still love the Piano concerto No. 1... I am a stressed out college student and I find myself playing this track to help me get going in the morning... the melody in this piece always makes me feel good. Whether you are new to classical piano music, or just need a soothing CD to get you through the day, this CD is an excellent choice."