Search - Frederic Chopin, Ingrid Fliter :: Chopin: Piano Sonata No. 3; Ballade No. 4; Waltzes; Mazurkas; Barcarolle

THE EXCELLENCE OF INGRID FLITER: ELEGANT, SENSITIVE, BRILLI

RBSProds | Deep in the heart of Texas | 08/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Five WONDERFUL Stars!! Award-winning virtuoso classical pianist Ingrid Fliter (FLEEter) has recorded a marvelous group of well-known Romantic pieces by Polish classical genius Frédéric Chopin. When one is dealing with such familiar musical territory, the interpreter must be on their 'A-game' and Ms Fliter, who grew up in a home where Chopin was heard and played often, has great mastery of this maestro's musical world. The Argentina-born pianist won the silver medal in the prestigious 2000 Chopin International Piano Competition (to Yundi Li's gold) and the prestigious (and lucrative) Gilmore Artist Award, which is awarded every four years to a pianist of "truly exceptional quality". Based on this performance and video performances that I have seen, she is worthy of all of those accolades.



The 'best of the best' begins with the wide-ranging "Ballade No. 4" which is a performance of pure beauty allowing demonstration of both her sensitivity and pianistic firepower on one of Chopin's most wonderous compositions. "Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor" which is more nuanced than others I have heard (Arrau for example) especially in the beginning of the A section where her main theme flows out of the left hand figurations rather than springing immediately to the front: much more organic. The superior interpretation of the B section, which is the basis of the popular theme "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows", has more 'wonder' to it than is usually heard. Ms Fliter is giving her insights into the song based on her extraordinary technique, while retaining the intent of the composer and the Romantic spirit. The "Barcarolle" conjures up the boat-ride theme wonderfully and "Grande Valse Brillante" is just that and more. Likewise "Minute Waltz" and the Opus 59 Mazurkas are excellent with Fliter's subtle shadings conjuring up Chopin's remembrance of his beloved Poland from a foreign land. Ingrid Fliter demonstates a deep understanding of Chopin and gives an enjoyable, insightful, and crisp interpretation of each work. HIghly recommended. Five ROMANTIC Stars!!

(This review is based on an iTunes download, with booklet in English, French, and German)

"

And Ingrid Fliter Continues to Amaze...

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 12/25/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In the short two years since this listener had the distinct pleasure of hearing Ingrid Fliter live, replacing her ill mentor Martha Argerich in a concerto with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, this stunning pianist has grown ever more assured and important as one of the pianists deserving of her expanding audience. This CD released this year by EMI Classics may not have many surprises repertoire wise, but hearing Fliter immerse herself in these familiar Chopin works further suggests that her brilliance in technique and in communication stand the test of comparison with the other great Chopin interpreters well indeed.



Not only does Fliter have full control of the entire keyboard always at her willful disposal, but she also acknowledges the fact that these works are romantic and must mold with the overall view of the performer. For this listener the majesty of the Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor is the finest on record, but Fliter adds shorter favorites such as the Ballade No. 4 in F minor and the Grand Valse Brillante in E Flat as though to prove that these 'warhorses' can be fresh and thrilling when under her strong and elegant hands.



Better known in Europe than even her own Argentina and in the USA, Ingrid Fliter is definitely one of the bright lights of the piano and with this recording she leaves little doubt that she is on the ascent. Grady Harp, December 08"