Search - Frederic Chopin, Gregorian Chant, Daniel Chriss :: Garrick Ohlsson - The Complete Chopin Piano Works Vol. 8 ~ Masterpieces & Miniatures

A PENULTIMATE CHOPIN POTPOURRI

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 12/18/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"For the most part, compilation CDs drive me to distraction. Bits and pieces of this and that, you know how it is. But in Volume 8 of Arabesque's Chopin traversal ("Masterpieces and Miniatures"), quite the contrary is true; not one work is off the mark in this dedicated "whole." Listening to Ohlsson play is to hear these pieces as if for the first time. There's more insight, more tenderness, more genuine sparkle than you can shake a stick at.



What immediately, and excitedly, comes to mind is his rather unorthodox conception of the lovely Berceuse, Op. 57. Not only is this the longest interpretation I've ever heard (5:52), but it is also the most ravishingly seductive, caressing, nurturing and beautiful. (This is no lullaby for children--- not played as hauntingly as this! No. This is a calmative for adults. Valium! Get thee behind me!) For Mr. Ohlsson's rendition of this piece, alone, the CD is well worth buying. The Barcarolle, Op. 60, too, is as mesmerizingly seductive as the Berceuse, its gentle melody, swaying rhythm, undulations all so soulfully nourishing under Mr. Ohlsson's fingers. You cannot escape the wonder of it.



And the astounding fact is: every work on this disc meets the equivalent standard. Ohlsson's "vision" of the way Chopin might be performed is so exceptionally refreshing, so filled with surprising details, quirky inner voices and subtle interludes that his playing is simply impossible to resist.



As another example, I give you the famous Fantasy in F Minor, Op. 49 (timing in at a healthy 13:12), forever hackneyed in the wrong hands. But listen to Ohlsson; listen to the way he slowly builds the initial tension, gently bridging into the sublime chorale-like middle section--- with the most hushed, heart-rending lyricism--- and then, abruptly, with a striking chordal release, brings to fruition a coda of dashing panache and completely unexpected quietude. Incomparable.



The Allegro de Concert, Op. 46 (12:13), is a rare, ripe Chopin ear-fest. Every pianistic trick in the book is thrown in here--- and not without a wink, either. Ohlsson's technique is manifest: his rippling passagework, double-noting, hearty chordal work, daring leaps and bounds is fabulous. Yet, so amazingly integrated is his pianism, it never calls attention to itself.



The "dance" in Chopin's heart appears clearly in the enchanting Bolero, Op. 19 (made so popular by Artur Rubinstein), Tarantella (aka Tarantelle), Op. 43, the spirited, short Ecossaises, Op. 72, and the nostalgic Contradanse in G-flat of 1827.



And who could not succumb to the melodies inherent in such miniatures as the Cantabile in B-flat, Feuille d'album in E, or the Largo in E-flat--- all played so raptly, so gently? Indeed, this CD is a charmer and a constant reminder of the breadth of Chopin's genius, and of the sensitivity and exceptional pianism of Mr. Ohlsson.



[Running time: 76:32]"