Friday 30 September 2011

Chopin - Piano Music 'Reminiscences' [Pizarro]

I bought this a while back, i haven't played it a great deal, mainly inspired by the lovely portrait on the cover, this is a recital disc, covering many aspects of Chopin's different works, rather than a systematic recording of one work, most Chopin recitals tend to have a good mix, this one has a great tendency to gravitate towards the Waltz and the Mazurka, with a few Nocturnes also thrown in, but not a Prelude or Etude in sight, the Mazurkas and Waltzes are my least favourite Chopin, probably why i haven't warmed to this recital as a usually do with a chopin disc. 

Artur Pizarro is from Portugal, now 43, he's still fairly young i guess, he made quite a few useful recordings for the Collins Classics label, especially a Scriabin Mazurkas disc, now he's with the Scottish label Linn Records, he made this recording in 2004, the cover photo is great [by Sven Arnstein], Pizarro sitting on the piano stool, with his back to the piano, nice dark colours, and lovely central lettering.