Friday, February 18, 2011

András Schiff and Chopin


Once again, Classical TV provides a unique glimpse into the life and work of one of our favourite composers whose 200th birthday was celebrated last year. András Schiff came to my attention years ago as a marvellous interpreter of Beethoven. In the two featured videos Schiff is revealed as a wonderful performer of Chopin's music as well.

Two things; first in the video on Chopin's life, which is really remarkable, Schiff as the narrator comes off as one of the most humble, gentle and worshipful souls in the world; the kind of person one would cherish meeting in person and secondly, in the video of the Chopin preludes, the sound and texture of the music played on a piano which is a Pleyel rather than a Steinway, gives us another glimpse into the smaller venues, the Paris “salons” in which many of Chopin's works were first introduced by himself and his pupils.

Featured videos:



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