Composer(s): Chopin, Fryderyk
Label: Naxos Historical
Genre: Instrumental
Period: Romantic
Catalogue No: 8.111118
Barcode: 0747313311828
Distribution Note(s):
Not available in the United States due to possible copyright restrictions
Release Date: 05/2008

CHOPIN: 24 Preludes / Ballades / Fantaisie-Impromptu (Moiseiwitsch, Vol. 12) (1938-1952)

This second volume of Moiseiwitsch’s Chopin recordings focuses on the complete Préludes, Op. 28, which the great pianist had attempted to record, unsuccessfully, with the acoustic process, and the Four Ballades. The recording of the complete Préludes is one of the most satisfactory on disc, as Moiseiwitsch captures perfectly the mood of each of these miniature masterpieces. The slower preludes in particular show Moiseiwitsch’s understanding of musical phrasing linked to harmonic progressions. In combination with his ideal projection of the singing line, this gives the impression that the music is a living and breathing entity. In the faster preludes, particularly No. 16 and No. 24, Moiseiwitsch never loses control of tempo or dynamics and the ornaments and figuration of the last Prélude become part of the organic whole. The recording of the Ballade No. 4, his only 78rpm recording of the work, derives from a test pressing.

Tracklist

Chopin, Fryderyk
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
1Prelude No. 1 in C Major, Op. 28, No. 100:35
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
2Prelude No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 28, No. 201:53
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
3Prelude No. 3 in G Major, Op. 28, No. 300:55
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
4Prelude No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 28, No. 402:02
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
5Prelude No. 5 in D Major, Op. 28, No. 500:34
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
6Prelude No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 28, No. 601:51
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
7Prelude No. 7 in A Major, Op. 28, No. 700:48
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
8Prelude No. 8 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, No. 801:52
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
9Prelude No. 9 in E Major, Op. 28, No. 901:15
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
10Prelude No. 10 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, No. 1000:29
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
11Prelude No. 11 in B Major, Op. 28, No. 1100:30
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
12Prelude No. 12 in G-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, No. 1201:10
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
13Prelude No. 13 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 28, No. 1302:32
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
14Prelude No. 14 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 28, No. 1400:34
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
15Prelude No. 15 in D-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 15, "Raindrop"04:54
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
16Prelude No. 16 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 28, No. 1601:05
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
17Prelude No. 17 in A-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 1702:46
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
18Prelude No. 18 in F Minor, Op. 28, No. 1800:54
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
19Prelude No. 19 in E-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 1901:14
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
20Prelude No. 20 in C Minor, Op. 28, No. 2001:24
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
21Prelude No. 21 in B-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 2101:59
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
22Prelude No. 22 in G Minor, Op. 28, No. 2200:42
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
23Prelude No. 23 in F Major, Op. 18, No. 2300:46
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
24Prelude No. 24 in D Minor, Op. 28, No. 2402:17
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
25Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 2308:18
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
26Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 3807:03
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
27Ballade No. 3 in A-Flat Major, Op. 4707:05
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
28Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 5209:29
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
29Fantasy-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 6604:38
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)

Total Playing Time: 01:11:34