Search - Frederic Chopin, Tamas Vasary :: Chopin: Nocturnes

When you want Chopin, reach for a Vasary CD

07/01/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...if you can find one, and this is the only one I have found so far, a great travesty and shame on DGG for not reissuing all of Vasary's recordings of Chopin originally made in the 1960's. Here is one of the great interpreters of this composer, although not as well known. Yes, many pianists play Chopin well, but listening to Vasary, you feel that he has found the soul of the composer in the music and expressed it. The technique is world class, so we don't have to go into that. I have all Vasary's vinyls of Chopin from the 60's and would recommmend them all. The Nocturnes especially showcase Vasary's intrepretive talents on a modern piano. Unfortunately, 3 Nocturnes are missing, most egregiously the exquisite and most beautiful of all, Op. 27, No.2 which shows Vasary at his finest. Whoever made that decision at DGG should be fired. Op. 62, No.1 also was cut - bad move again. The remastering is first rate. You feel as if you are standing next to the grand, top up, no digital cut-off of volume or overtones. Better than the vinyl. The complete Vasary Chopin should be reissued. This recording should be in the collection of all who love Chopin in spite of the cuts. Those new to Chopin's music will find this an excellent introduction."

I agree with "Boston"

shantinik | 11/30/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have always felt that in the world of Chopin, there is Rubinstein and there is Vasary, and after that, there is a great drop-off. For my money, Vasary should be the standard against all other playing of Chopin should be measured. But where are the recordings? His vinyls of the Sonatas are long unavailable, and the Polonaises!This recording is superb -- somewhat reminiscent of Dinu Lipatti, but perhaps a bit quieter, more introspective. Rubinstein had already made the point of Chopin being a masculine, robust composer. Vasary is not afraid to explore the more subtle side.And,yes, where are the 3 missing Nocturnes?"

The vasary touch

drollere | Sebastopol, CA United States | 08/23/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"i echo the sentiments of other reviewers: vasary's chopin is incomparable, wonderful, essential. these 1965 stereo recordings of the nocturnes are among the finest available -- even in this abbreviated format.



to my sensibility, the key to vasary's approach is its depth and nuance. each phrase seems sculpted from the heart, and susceptible to the heart's changes of emotion; there is a marvelous dynamic range and sensitivity to changes in tempo; above all, there is an inexpressible landscape of poetry that is simply invisible in the other, "read the text" interpretations. vasary might claim to have channeled chopin's spirit, so absolutely right do his interpretations sound. the hidden element is his technical command: even richter's playing does not surpass vasary's ability to turn on the power when necessary (for example, in the A flat ballade). these recordings are among the unique treasures of the chopin catalog.



the digital sound is forward, clear, warm, well balanced across the range -- and to my ear more effective than the original vinyl.



i want to add that vasary's *complete* nocturnes (!), along with the waltzes, scherzi and ballades (those utterly unsurpassed ballades!), are available as a "trio" box set (from universal classics, catalog no. 289 469 350-2)."