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Label:
  Linn Records - http://www.linnrecords.com/
Serial:
  CKD 250
Title:
  Chopin: Piano Sonatas - Artur Pizarro
Description:
  Chopin: Variations Brillantes Op. 12, Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor Op. 35, Barcarolle in F sharp major Op. 60, Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op. 58

Artur Pizarro (piano)
Track listing:
 
Genre:
  Classical - Instrumental
Content:
  Stereo/Multichannel
Media:
  Hybrid
Recording type:
 
Recording info:
 

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Related titles: 5


 
Reviews: 2

Review by terence April 27, 2006 (9 of 11 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
The RBCD I thought of most often when listening to Pizarro's interpretation of the Third Sonata here was Rubinstein's stereo RCA recording. That of course is a formidable comparison, but Pizarro much of the time can take it - his playing has the same type of Romantic grandeur combined with sweet poetry which was very much Rubinstein's hallmark in this composer.

Inevitably there are some things which Rubinstein does just that bit better - Pizarro's slow movement is very fine indeed, but occasionally drags just a touch rhythmically. You need a mighty technique to do justice to the finale, and Pizarro has everything needed - yet just occasionally he snaps a little impatiently at accents, where Rubinstein has a sweeping, implacable majesty.

I don't personally expect Rubinstein's recording ever to be bettered - it's just magnificent. But there's no doubt that Pizarro is outstanding in his own right, and he's given a warmly sympathetic Linn recording, with discreet use of the rears to fill out the ambience a little.

Pianophiles should note that Pizarro here plays a Blüthner, not a Steinway. It has a softer, mellower tonal palette overall, but particularly in the lower registers, where you occasionally feel you're almost listening to a rather larger than usual period piano. It suits Pizarro's playing, and makes his virtuosity less intimidating than it might be on a fully spec-ed concert Steinway.

I'm now anxious to hear Pizarro's Beethoven Op. 109-111 - it seems to have had a rather mixed reception, but he sure can play, and clearly has a richly poetic temperament.

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Review by nickc February 23, 2008 (1 of 1 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:  
After my excoriation of the sound in Pizarro's Ravel disc I'm happy to report the sound here is excellent.
At 9'30" he is extremely ruminative in the supreme masterpiece of the Barcarolle. Argerich seemed to have put a turbocharger on her gondola; I wish Pizarro had a stronger profile here. Ashkenazy on Decca seems a happy medium.

In his rush to get out of the gate in the 2nd. sonata rhythms get a bit gabbled in the first minute but that passes. The funeral march is hypnotically slow.

The 3rd. and greatest sonata is magnificent. By the time we get to the finale Pizarro is at full stretch nearly ending up sub-orbital with excitement by the end. Fantastic playing.

The sound is full and bold. Turn it up and the bass rolls through your room, and the treble is smooth as silk.

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Works: 4  

Frederic Chopin - Barcarolle in F sharp major, Op. 60
Frederic Chopin - Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35
Frederic Chopin - Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58
Frederic Chopin - Variations Brillante in B flat, Op. 12