Sultanov plays Chopin (APE)

Performer: Alexei Sultanov
Composer: Frederyk Chopin
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Teldec
Size: 204 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: no

Scherzi Nos. 1-4
Polonaise heroique op. 53
Ballade No. 4
Andante spianato et
Grande Polonaise op. 22

Superlative Chopin By Superlative Sultanov!

“I would give all the Beethoven symphonies–I repeat, all the symphonies – for a single Ballade by Chopin” is thus the effusive declaration of a friend quoted in the diary of Andre Gide (1869-1951, France, Nobel Prize-Literature-1947). Many a great renowned pianist has come forward to prove once and for all that Chopin is no mere virtuoso of superficial brilliance. Chopin’s teacher for three years at the Warsaw School of Music wrote in a report “Chopin, Fryderyk, third year student, amazing talent, musical genius”. So it should be no surprise that the young man who won the Eighth International Van Cliburn Competition in 1989 likewise nailed Chopin’s colours to his mast. Frederic Chopin (1810-1849) is rightly regarded as ‘the’ melodist among the great piano composers. The spectrum of form, rhythm and harmony in his work is varied and innovative in the extreme. Robert Schumann (1810-1856), a music journalist and composer, once said of Chopin: “Chopin’s piano style is quite unique”. Similar words from Maxim Shostakovich (member of the 1989 Cliburn jury) “He is a great musician, a great artist, truly talented–he is unique” have been stated about the performer on this disc, Alexei Sultanov (1969-2005). (In part, program notes by Andreas Kluge-Translation: Clive Williams)