Katsaris Plays Chopin

$24.99
Label
Piano 21
Release Date
November 4, 2011
Format
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CHOPIN Preludes: op. 28/4, 6, 7, 15, 20. Souvenir de Paganini ( Carnival of Venice ). Polonaise, op. 26/1. Fantasy-Impromptu. Wiosna, op. 74/2. Contredanse. Mazurkas: op. 7/1; op. 67. Waltz, op. 74/2. 3 Ecossaises. Cello Sonata: Largo. Études: op. 10/3, 12. Nocturnes: op. 9/2, 20; op. 15/3. Piano Concerto No. 2: Larghetto • Cyprien Katsaris (pn) • PIANO 21 43 (78:48)


This is exactly the kind of recording that should be listened to—by force, if necessary—by all those publicity folks at labels big and small, from Decca and DG on down, who have somehow formed the opinion that Hot Young Pianist X is the next great genius of the keyboard. As fine as some of these players are, very few have the kind of seasoned authority one hears in this recital from Cyprien Katsaris. This is not merely good playing, not even great playing. It is playing so wholly wrapped up in the spirit of the composer that the performer disappears, and you find yourself listening to Chopin and not to “Katsaris,” superb though he is.


Not a single note or phrase of this recital passes through the mind without making an impression of some sort. Moreover, despite having a big technique—especially obvious in such items as the Fantasy-Impromptu and the Carnival of Venice —Katsaris never, ever makes it sound as if he’s showing it off. He’s not trying to dazzle you with B.S. He’s playing music, and he happens to have the right technique and style for it. That Carnival of Venice is a perfect example. Probably listed in the program under its Souvenir de Paganini title, as soon as he begins playing the audience recognizes the melody—and laughs. Katsaris keeps on playing it, but teases the melody a little with little flourishes and touches of rubato, knowing that he has his audience in the palm of his hand. It’s playing that makes you smile, and how often have you had that experience when listening to classical music?


These 26 selections were recorded in both studio and live settings over a 32-year period, the Fantasy-Impromptu coming from a 1978 studio recording and the etudes, mazurka, nocturnes, and Chopin’s own piano-only transcription of the Larghetto from the Second Piano Concerto coming from both concerts and studio sessions from 2010. There is remarkable continuity of style and vision in all of them, even though—to my ears—the early Fantasy-Impromptu lacks just a bit of personal identification with the material compared to the later performances.


But really, folks, this is what great playing is all about. These are Chopin recordings to stand the test of time, along with those of Cortot, Rubinstein, Cherkassky, Hobson, Lipatti, and Barbosa. The young lions today—a few names, like Alice Sara Ott and Daria Gloukhova excepted—have technique to burn but no real personal stamp on their material. The highest compliment I can pay to this disc is that all the selections, even the studio recordings, have the feel of a live concert about them. You feel as if you’re in the hall, listening to Katsaris and being enraptured by the music, not sitting at home listening to a dead piece of plastic on your CD player.


Cyprien, if you see this review, know that you have issued a masterpiece. Words fail me in trying to describe just how great this disc is.


FANFARE: Lynn René Bayley


Product Description:

  • Release Date: November 04, 2011


  • UPC: 3760051450519


  • Catalog Number: P21 043


  • Label: Piano 21


  • Number of Discs: 1


  • Composer: Frederic, Chopin


  • Performer: Cyprien Katsaris