Search - Ignace Jan Paderewski, Ewa Kupiec :: Paderewski: Piano Works

A PADEREWSKI PASSEL

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 11/20/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I'm embarrassed to say that pianist Ewa Kupiec is new to these old ears. Her playing warrants attention. And praise. [Where in the world have I been? Under a rock? I feel as if I've missed something!]



Paderewski (1860-1941) was a renaissance man: composer, brilliant pianist, statesman. There's probably nothing he couldn't, and didn't, do.



But he loved the piano most of all, it seems, and wrote for it aplenty, as is obvious from this Koch CD.



Lots of miniatures here, and one grand-scale set of variations (timing in at nearly thirty minutes). I must admit, I was taken by the smaller works, especially the Humoresques, Op. 14, Miscellanea, Op. 16 (of which, sadly, we only get No.4, "Nocturne"--- an absolutely beautiful piece) and the Danses Polonaises, Op. 5. The Tatra-Album, Op. 12--- Paderewski's musical memoirs of his visit to this mountainous Polish region--- is a delight, too. All these relatively short piano compositions are long on melody and flavor, and never fail to please.



The Variations, Op. 23, however, are a bit more heavy weather, ingenious and thought-provoking as they are, but do tend to get bombastic. Curiously, Paderewski thought these the pinnacle of his pianistic output. [So, who am I to argue?] However, those new to his music may find better harbor in the miniatures.



Besides, maybe you'll enjoy hearing Ewa Kupiec play as much as I did. She's worth the listen.



[Running time: 78:42]"