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)
1 Prelude No. 1 in C Major, Op. 28, No. 1 00:35
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
2 Prelude No. 2 in A Minor, Op. 28, No. 2 01:53
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
3 Prelude No. 3 in G Major, Op. 28, No. 3 00:55
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
4 Prelude No. 4 in E Minor, Op. 28, No. 4 02:02
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
5 Prelude No. 5 in D Major, Op. 28, No. 5 00:34
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
6 Prelude No. 6 in B Minor, Op. 28, No. 6 01:51
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
7 Prelude No. 7 in A Major, Op. 28, No. 7 00:48
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
8 Prelude No. 8 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, No. 8 01:52
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
9 Prelude No. 9 in E Major, Op. 28, No. 9 01:15
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
10 Prelude No. 10 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, No. 10 00:29
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
11 Prelude No. 11 in B Major, Op. 28, No. 11 00:30
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
12 Prelude No. 12 in G-Sharp Minor, Op. 28, No. 12 01:10
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
13 Prelude No. 13 in F-Sharp Major, Op. 28, No. 13 02:32
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
14 Prelude No. 14 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 28, No. 14 00:34
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
15 Prelude No. 15 in D-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 15, "Raindrop" 04:54
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
16 Prelude No. 16 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 28, No. 16 01:05
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
17 Prelude No. 17 in A-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 17 02:46
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
18 Prelude No. 18 in F Minor, Op. 28, No. 18 00:54
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
19 Prelude No. 19 in E-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 19 01:14
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
20 Prelude No. 20 in C Minor, Op. 28, No. 20 01:24
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
21 Prelude No. 21 in B-Flat Major, Op. 28, No. 21 01:59
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
22 Prelude No. 22 in G Minor, Op. 28, No. 22 00:42
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
23 Prelude No. 23 in F Major, Op. 18, No. 23 00:46
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
24 Prelude No. 24 in D Minor, Op. 28, No. 24 02:17
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
25 Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23 08:18
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
26 Ballade No. 2 in F Major, Op. 38 07:03
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
27 Ballade No. 3 in A-Flat Major, Op. 47 07:05
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
28 Ballade No. 4 in F Minor, Op. 52 09:29
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)
29 Fantasy-Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 66 04:38
Moiseiwitsch, Benno (piano)

Total Playing Time: 01:11:34