|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Music Kurt Leimer plays Frédéric Chopin The second CD of the Special edition Kurt Leimer consists of piano music by Frédéric Chopin: the second Piano Sonata in B flat minor op. 35, the Scherzo No. 1 in B minor op. 20 and the twenty four Etudes op. 10 and 25. epitomizes Romanticism’s most outstanding sonata compositions along with the sonatas of Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt. During Chopin’s lifetime, the sonata was not widely accepted as this genre was considered to be outdated. However, for the composers of Romanticism who were often outstanding pianists, the sonata was still highly prestigious. To compose a piano sonata was considered to be special proof of one’s abilities and artistry, especially in light of Beethoven’s achievements. Leimer’s recording of the Sonata impresses the listener due to the balance between technical perfection and detailed interpretation. The listener can easily hear that the piece was played effortlessly. As sober and distanced as this interpretation may appear at first listening, its “matter-of-fact” attitude is very convincing. Leimer not only knows each of the score’s notes, each dynamic and agogic detail, but he also plays Chopin’s music extremely transparently. Concerning the first Scherzo op. 20, numerous pianists are so absorbed with mastering the immensely difficulties they hardly have time to think about the details of interpretation. The impressive performance by Kurt Leimer proves his exceptional piano skills. At no time does Leimer’s well thought out and detailed interpretation of Chopin’s Scherzo reveal its technical difficulties. Leimer’s interpretation is not muscular nor forced but rather transparent and light-hearted even throughout the most difficult parts. Technically speaking Chopin’s Etudes op. 10 and op. 25 are very sophisticated. Still, they were not designed as practice pieces – as is the case with many etudes – but for concert hall performances. Kurt Leimer’s amazing discipline makes his interpretation of all twenty-four Etudes intriguing from the introduction of the first powerful C major. It is this discipline that holds the centrifugal forces together and achieves an enormous expressive precision. Time and again individual etudes have tempted pianists to drift with the maelstrom of constancy and experiment with the articulation. Leimer not only disciplines these forces, but is able to tame them with his unheard-of piano technique. He is therefore able to draw an amazing musicality out of Chopin’s Etudes op. 10 and 25. Antonio Baldassarre Recording: Kurt Leimer - Frédéric Chopin. Colosseum Schallplatten, COL 9201.2 (2006) Sound-Example for download (Format *.wma) Frédéric Chopin, 12 Etudes op. 25 Kurt Leimer (Piano). Recording: Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft, LPEM 119 379 (1962), Re-Edition: Colosseum Schallplatten, Nuremberg, COL 9201.2 (2006). Reviews (Selection) http://www.classicstodayfrance.com Musik & Theater, Juli / August 2007
|
|
|||
|
Pagetop |
Kurt Leimer Stiftung | info@kurtleimer.ch |