Frederic Chopin Ivo Pogorelich - Chopin Four Scherzi (4 tracks) +Album Reviews

First Wonder of the Modern World

Joe Moreno | Oakland, CA USA | 05/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thankfully I'm one of the few who hasn't read a word of professional criticism doing injustice to this unparalleled recording. It is, by any measure, undeserving of petty remarks about Mr. Pogorelich's unorthodox approach to these works. That is precisely what makes this CD so special: an unconventional interpretation paired with extraordinary technique whose result is awe-inspiring.The B minor Scherzo is a performance of extreme contrasts, the outer sections being incredibly fast while the slow middle section is taken at a slow, rapturous pace. Even with the astounding Pogorelich playing as if he were possessed, one is able to revel in the depth of the tones brought forth. It's an experience to die for, but thankfully it can be had for a mere $15.You would be doing yourself a disservice if you passed up the opportunity to own this recording. It is a true marvel. Just remember to leave your preconceptions at the door."

One of the Chopin Masters

Mike Shakinovsky | USA | 11/28/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chopin has been played by any number of masters, virtuosos and technicians. Ivo Pogorelich outdoes most eveyone in this rendering. The clarity and sensitivity of interpretation in these performances brings a new sparkle to the old cherished notes. The audio quality of this recording is wonderful too. Highly recommend. Also, recommend his interpretation of the 2nd Piano Concerto (Chopin)."

Pogorelich at its Best

Mike Shakinovsky | 07/14/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The new recording presented by Ivo Pogorelich brings a clear, sharp and impressive lesson of Piano Mastery. You may love him or hate him, but in any event, there's no doubt that his musical approach is phenomenal. From the many versions available, Pollini, Rubinstein, Zimerman and others have done a good work, but compared to Pogorelich, they simply fade away. Without any doubt, anyone willing to hear this wonderful piano pieces should buy this CD and will have granted pleasure for long, long time"

A brilliant, infuriating artist doing what he does

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 05/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I doubt that any contemporary pianist comes close to Pogorelich for dividing criticism. He is adored and loathed in equal measure, and since I am (sort of) among the adoring, it saddens me that the carpers seem to have won. Not here at Amazon, where the fans turn out, but in concert, where apparently Pogo has gone as overboard as Mr. Tholin notes.

There are only a few infuriating things to cope with here. The worst is the banging that makes Scherzo #2 unlistenable for me. The first chord in Scherzo #1 is also migraine inducing. But Pogo is so original and mercurial, so intent on demanding that attention be paid, I am usually disarmed. He barely knows the meaning of a steady tempo, and on a whim he will rush recklessly ahead, only to stop on a dime. All of which I find delightful, with special praise for Scherzo #1, an abandoned reading no one will else even approximates.

So let's raise a glass of Champagne and two aspirin to this one-off musician, wherever he may reside in Cloud Cuckooland. I can't listen to his Chopin Scherzi too often, but when I do, I am grateful for his existence."

A study in contrast

Robert L. Berkowitz | Natick, MA United States | 09/09/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The term "scherzo" means something akin to whimsy, but these large-scale pieces by Chopin are richer than that term would imply. The Scherzos differ from the other large scale work of which Chopin wrote four -- the Ballades -- in part because a Ballade tends to open with a broad statement suggesting the beginning of an unfolding epic. The Scherzos open instead with something striking, furtive or a glancing blow, quickly making its point. A Chopin Scherzo then moves into contrasting sections before coming to a brilliant conclusion. The musical challenge with the Scherzos is to make each of these pieces hold together as a unified whole.

Pogorelich's recording highlights the "scherzo" part of these pieces. He brings an incisive touch and brilliant technique to bear on all the furtive parts of these pieces, yet he can also play with a hushed beautiful ethereal tone in the more melodic lullaby aspects of these pieces. The problem is that his performances sound sectional. The sense of sweep is lost. One is drawn to listen because of Pogorelich's astounding technique, but the dramatic shifts in tempo and character that occur between sections can sometimes be jarring.

Listening to this recording I find certain sections of the Scherzos to be particularly memorable. For example, I think Pogorelich gets the opening and the "waterfalls" parts of the middle of the 3rd Scherzo just right, and the incomparably beautiful middle section of the 4th Scherzo is captured to its fullest potential. Yet I come away feeling that these are not performances that I will return to, because none of the Scherzos hang together completely.

Still, the recorded sound is beautiful and if you are a Pogorelich fan this disc provides lots of material to enjoy his brand of pianism."

Search - Frederic Chopin, Ivo Pogorelich :: Chopin: Four Scherzi

CD Details

CD Reviews

	Frederic Chopin, Ivo Pogorelich Chopin: Four Scherzi Genre: Classical Track Listings (4) - Disc #1 Scherzo No. 1 In B Minor (Op. 20) Scherzo No. 2 In B Flat Minor (Op. 31) Scherzo No. 3 In C Sharp Minor (Op. 39) Scherzo No. 4 In E Major (Op. 54)
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