Review of Chopin: Piano Music

Introduction

What a great idea! Three well-respected concert pianists individually invited into the comfort of your living room to play a whole string of beautiful Chopin Piano pieces on a well-tuned Grand as you go about your everyday chores.

Of course, the more discerning aficionado may want to watch the grace and passion of the players as their fingers glide across the keys, often in a blur, but always with ease and incredible accuracy.
But as someone who has little interest in classical music, I`m ashamed to admit that this release reminds me a little of those videos that did the rounds a few years ago that comprised of little other than a burning log fire or perhaps a fish-tank that were intended, not as white-knuckle ride film presentation, but rather as background décor. (I remember going to several parties where the TV was transformed into a wonderful aquarium in this way.) Likewise here, I have the DVD gently playing away in the corner of my living room as I write and it`s creating a rather nice relaxing ambience, lending a cultural air to my Sunday morning.
And as one great performance finishes, another starts - running for in excess of two hours. Every time I glance over my shoulder, there they are, still happily playing away for me without complaint, and I haven`t even had to make them a cup of tea.

I guess the real classical music fan may well want to settle down and watch this with some care. For the budding pianist there is much to aspire too. Not least the fact that there is not a single piece of sheet music in sight which means that these complex piano pieces (in some cases) have been photographically remembered, and that each is played with great passion and feeling.

Freddy Kempf, Alfredo Perl and Angela Hewitt are each equally impressive,

Filmed originally for BBC Wales Television, they are set within atmospheric stately homes in two instances, and an empty Wimbledon theatre in the third.

Interestingly, a gib is used during filming (or possibly steadicam) as a second camera in addition to a fixed wide, so that we are often treated to slow moving footage sweeping across the keys or highlighting the passionate expression on the players face. As with any performance piece, this can be frustrating if you`re hoping to watch the finger work during a particular movement, though it seems in keeping with the atmosphere of the programme. As a bit of an anorak when it comes to filming, I couldn`t resist scrutinizing the reflections in the long sleek black lid of the grand as the camera swept over to try and get a clue as to what kit was in use though there was nothing to be seen. A great deal of professional expertise and care has gone into the filming here.
For those who want a little more detail, Chopin`s Opus 10 and Opus 25 Études are performed here by Freddy Kempf, recorded in the Château de Neauville, Gambais. Kempf, born in London in 1977 came to the public`s attention as a child protégé when he performed Mozart`s Piano Concerto K.414 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. He won the first National Mozart Competition and became the youngest ever winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year Competition.

Chopin`s complete Opus Préludes are played by Chilean pianist Alfredo Perl in Hopetoun House, Edinburgh. Angela Hewitt, a Canadian born into a musical family in Ottawa, performs in an empty Wimbledon theatre playing Chopin`s Piano Sonata in B flat Minor. Another child protégé, she gave her first public performance at the age of four. She was awarded the first ever BBC Radio 3 Listener`s Award in 2003 and has lived mostly in London since 1985.

Video

This originated on Digital Video (Beta SP in all probability) and has been subject to fully digital post-production so there is very little quality loss. Curiously, it`s an NTSC DVD, presumably of PAL origin, though the picture quality certainly looks fine. The only slight signs of digital artefacts are in the shots of Wimbledon theatre, which is slightly less pleasant viewing overall.

Audio

The recordings here are of a very fine quality, and available in DTS surround, which adds a little of the room ambience to the mix.

Features

There is a 4-page booklet, though this has very little information, either about the artistes, the venue of even about Chopin and these early works. Compared to the usual offering from the BBC`s excellent Opus Arte range, this is a little disappointing. There are no extras on the disc.

Conclusion

Whether you view this disc as a functional background piece (piano player`s for hire whenever you need them) or as a more serious record of three artistes at the height of their powers playing some of Chopin`s earliest works, it`s a concept that works.

Live performances without an audience (excluding you and your family/friends of course), filmed in exquisite surrounds, playing on the finest of instruments.
These solo piano pieces will delight both dedicated fans of classical music and occasional listeners too. They`re perfect for creating a mood of peace and tranquillity in the home, and with a running time in excess of two hours can work on a fairly constant rotation without becoming dull.