Frédéric Chopin - Piano Concertos (Đặng Thái Sơn)

Information

Composer: Frédéric Chopin

• Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11
• Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21

Đặng Thái Sơn, piano

Orchestra of the 18th Century

Frans Brüggen, conductor

Date: 2006

Label: Fryderyk Chopin Institute

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Review

Written by a young and ambitious Chopin as self-promotional vehicle to demonstrate his performance capabilities and, to a lesser degree, his compositional skills, the two piano concertos have remained as an important part of the instrument's repertoire. Often derided for their somewhat trite orchestral parts, these concertos are nevertheless beautiful, thoroughly enjoyable works. While there are countless recordings of the piano works of Beethoven and Mozart on period instruments, this inclination has found its way to Chopin's works with less frequency. This album, produced by The Fryderyk Chopin Institute, makes use of an 1849 Erard fortepiano made in Paris, very similar to the instruments Chopin himself would have used. While it lacks the same resonance and projection as the modern concert grand piano, it more than makes up for this with its clarity and intimacy of tone, unique sound colors, and expressivity of dynamics. In the hands of pianist Dang Thai Son, this instrument casts a whole new light on Chopin's concertos with which many listeners may be completely unfamiliar. Son's intricate, detailed interpretation is translated into a much more personal, intimate listening experience. Accompanied by the sensitive and refined Orchestra of the Eighteenth Century, Son and conductor Frans Brüggen give listeners a splendid and unique reading of these lush concertos.

— Mike D. Brownell

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Frédéric Chopin (1 March 1810 – 17 October 1849) was a Polish Romantic composer and virtuoso pianist. A prodigy from Warsaw, he moved to Paris at 21, where he spent the rest of his short life. Although often in poor health, he produced a remarkable body of piano-centered works, including nocturnes, mazurkas, waltzes, polonaises, études and two piano concertos. His music, which is known for technical brilliance and innovative harmony, helped shape musical nationalism and late-Romantic style. Chopin's iconic status, dramatic life, and early death made him one of the enduring symbols of the Romantic era.

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Đặng Thái Sơn (born July 2, 1958) is a Vietnamese-Canadian pianist. Born in Hanoi, he studied piano with his mother, then at the Moscow Conservatory with Vladimir Natanson and Dmitri Bashkirov. In 1980, he won the X International Chopin Piano Competition, becoming the first pianist from Asia to do so. Since then, Dang has performed in more than 40 countries with many renowned orchestras and artists. He is frequently invited to give master classes around the world, and has sat on the juries of prestigious competitions. He has recorded for such labels as Deutsche Grammophon, Victor and the Fryderyk Chopin Institute.

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