Composer: Frédéric François Chopin
Performer: Jean-Marc Luisada
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Catalogue: 4317792
Release: 2015
Size: 172 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
01. Waltz No. 1 in E flat major ‘Grande Valse Brillante’, Op. 18
02. Waltz No. 2 in A flat major ‘Grande Valse Brillante’, Op. 34 No. 1
03. Waltz No. 3 in A minor ‘Grande Valse Brillante’, Op. 34 No. 2
04. Waltz No. 4 in F major ‘Grande Valse Brillante’, Op. 34 No. 3
05. Waltz No. 5 in A flat major, Op. 42
Waltzes, Op. 64
06. No. 1 in D-Flat Major. Molto vivace “Minute Waltz”
07. Waltz No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 64 No. 2
08. Waltz No. 8 in A flat major, Op. 64 No. 3
09. Waltz No.9 In A-Flat Major, Op. 69 No.1 “Farewell”
10. Waltz No. 10 in B minor, Op. 69 No. 2
11. Waltz No.11 in G-Flat Major, Op. 70 No.1
12. Waltz No. 12 in F minor, Op. 70 No. 2
13. Waltz No. 13 in D flat major, Op. 70 No. 3
14. Waltz No. 14 in E minor, Op. post., KKIVa:15, B 56
15. Waltz No. 16 in A flat major, Op. post., KKIVa:13, B 21
16. Waltz No. 15 in E major, Op. post., KKIVa:12, B 44
17. Waltz No. 18 in E flat major ‘Sostenuto’, Op. post., KKIVb:10, B 133
Originally released in Europe by Deutsche Grammophon, Jean-Marc Luisada’s 1991 album of Chopin’s waltzes has been reissued in 2004 in the Universal Classics budget line, apparently without remastering or other enhancements. While this CD may attract beginners dipping into Chopin’s piano music for the first time, it is not recommended, and others may pass it by without too many pangs of regret. For most of the program, Luisada’s interpretations are mannered and facile, executed with far too much rubato, coy accentuation, and precious phrasing, perhaps to suggest a nineteenth century salon style. In the Grande Valse brillante, Op. 18, the Waltz in A flat major, Op. 42, and the popular “Minute Waltz,” Luisada’s overtly emotive approach might seem charming and sweet, but it begins to cloy by the disc’s midpoint and becomes annoying after that. Examples of sensitive, moving playing are few, perhaps restricted to the Waltz No 2. in A minor, Op. 34; the Waltz No. 2 in B minor, Op. Post. 69; and the Waltz No. 2 in F minor, Op. Post. 70. But these three tracks are insufficient to balance out the rest of Luisada’s exaggerated playing, which makes this album a real chore to get through.