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Journal Intime: Chopin Piano Works

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Label: Virgin

Cat No: 4578452

Barcode: 5099945784521

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Instrumental

Release Date: 22nd February 2010

Works

Chopin, Frederic

Ballades (4)

» no.1 in G minor, op.23

» no.2 in F major, op.38

Contredanse in G flat major, B17
Ecossaises (3), op.72
Fantasy in F minor, op.49
Impromptu no.4 in C sharp minor, op.66 'Fantaisie-Impromptu'
Largo in E flat major
Mazurkas (51)

» no.6 in A minor, op.7 no.2

» no.11 in E minor, op.17 no.2

» no.13 in A minor, op.17 no.4

» no.41 in C sharp minor, op.63 no.3

» no.47 in A minor, op.posth 68 no.2

Nocturnes (21)

» no.2 in E flat major, op.9 no.2

» no.20 in C sharp minor (without opus number)

Artists

Alexandre Tharaud (piano)

Works

Chopin, Frederic

Ballades (4)

» no.1 in G minor, op.23

» no.2 in F major, op.38

Contredanse in G flat major, B17
Ecossaises (3), op.72
Fantasy in F minor, op.49
Impromptu no.4 in C sharp minor, op.66 'Fantaisie-Impromptu'
Largo in E flat major
Mazurkas (51)

» no.6 in A minor, op.7 no.2

» no.11 in E minor, op.17 no.2

» no.13 in A minor, op.17 no.4

» no.41 in C sharp minor, op.63 no.3

» no.47 in A minor, op.posth 68 no.2

Nocturnes (21)

» no.2 in E flat major, op.9 no.2

» no.20 in C sharp minor (without opus number)

Artists

Alexandre Tharaud (piano)

About

Already established as one of today’s most individual and thoughtful pianists, Alexandre Tharaud makes his debut on Virgin Classics with this collection of pieces by Chopin, ‘Journal intime’ (Private diary). Each of the chosen pieces – mazurkas, nocturnes, ballades, the famous Fantaisie-impromptu and a number of other, lesser-known works – has a special importance or association for Tharaud, who cites the pianism of Vlado Perlemuter and Sergei Rachmaninov as a particular influence in the music of Chopin.

Many of these pieces have been in Tharaud’s repertoire since his student days: “I let time work for me. It is extraordinarily enriching to study a work when you are young and then revisit it in the course of your life. It becomes part of you.”

Tharaud, born in Paris in 1968, takes a discerning approach to repertoire, highlighting and often juxtaposing composers such as Bach, Rameau, Couperin, Chabrier, Satie, Ravel, Poulenc and Thierry Pécou (b.1965).

His catalogue of recordings for Harmonia Mundi has contributed substantially to his reputation:
“Alexandre Tharaud [is] a young aristocrat of the keyboard. Cool, supple and elegant, all his performances are in the best French tradition; a fine union of sense and sensibility ... each phrase bringing a renewed sense of delight … the inwardness and grace one associates with true artists ... All these performances suggest a fastidious musical intelligence with an immaculate technique, the music's character and fragrance made light yet pervasive ... these scrupulously modern and sensitive performances are among the finest available." - Gramophone

"Alexandre Tharaud plays Chopin with superlative technique. (...) He has recorded a breathtaking disc … This is intelligent playing that matches its clarity with perception and sensitivity, and variety of touch with sonic beauty. Tharaud is unfailingly responsive to melodic nuance and seems to relish every new twist of the texture. But there is also immense power when the dark energy beneath is unleashed. His concept plumbs the depths of Chopin's musical psyche with humility … a brilliant and original performance." - BBC Music Magazine