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Chopin: Ballades & 3 Nocturnes
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
Awards:
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BBC Music Magazine, December 2018, Instrumental Choice
Andsnes is not interested in being different, just in being honest. Yes, there is pain. But only where Chopin writes it. And it is offset by myriad beauties of tone and understanding. A delectable...
Chopin: Ballades & 3 Nocturnes
Leif Ove Andsnes (piano)
Purchase product
Awards:
-
BBC Music Magazine, December 2018, Instrumental Choice
Andsnes is not interested in being different, just in being honest. Yes, there is pain. But only where Chopin writes it. And it is offset by myriad beauties of tone and understanding. A delectable...
About
Leif Ove Andsnes’ last release of rare Sibelius piano works was universally acclaimed by critics worldwide. Now comes a release of very popular solo piano works by Chopin. The album includes all four famous Ballades interspersed with shorter Nocturnes.
Andsnes intentionally inserted the Nocturnes between the Ballades to serve as a ‘breather’ to the epic nature of the Ballades. In doing so he breaks with the tradition of performing and recording the ballades as a cycle.
This recording is a long-held dream come true for Andsnes, who has wanted to record the Ballades ever since discovering them as a teenager and instantly falling in love with them. These epic works have accompanied him and his career ever since. This is his first recording of Chopin works in 25 years.
Contents and tracklist
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Awards and reviews
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BBC Music MagazineDecember 2018Instrumental Choice
December 2018
Andsnes is not interested in being different, just in being honest. Yes, there is pain. But only where Chopin writes it. And it is offset by myriad beauties of tone and understanding. A delectable disc.
November 2018
The Andsnes brand comes with a number of cast-iron guarantees: superior clarity, strength and facility without showing off, superb grasp of architecture, finely judged transitions and no suspicion of exaggeration at either end of the dramatic-poetic spectrum…But is that enough?
November 2018
Andsnes’ accounts are beautifully phrased, smooth...as if one were eavesdropping on the pianist’s private reverie. Andsnes’ programme makes a satisfying whole. Strongly recommended.
