Chopin: Mazurkas

Deljavan, Alessandro

Chopin based his many of his compositions on the traditional Polish folk dance, the Mazurka (also "Mazur" or "Mazurek"). The composer was able to transform his works into an entirely new genre, one that then was copied by other composers. Over the years 1825–1849, Frederic Chopin wrote at least 58 mazurkas for piano, based on the dance. 58 have been published, 45 during Chopin's lifetime and 13 posthumously. Eleven further mazurkas are known whose manuscripts are either in private hands or untraced. This new release contains 58 known Mazurkas including two versions of the "last word" by the composer, the struggling op. 68 No. 4. Alessandro Deljavan is one of the most remarkable pianists of his generation. “His playing is full of intensive power and contagious artistry” (Dmitri Bashkirov), “he is one of the most interesting pianists I’ve heard in my life” (Fou Ts’Ong), “he is one of the most major talents of his age” (John Perry), “Jaw-dropping virtuosity and heart-stopping eloquence” (Dallas Morning News). The recording is fully natural: captured by engineer Alessandro Simonetto via 3 Sennheiser small-diaphrams in the common Decca Tree technique.

Price: $35.98