Credits:

Chopin (1810-1849)

Description:

Aimi Kobayashi's second Warner Classics exclusive world contract is Chopin: 24 Preludes! Chopin's "24 Preludes" is known as a collection of pieces that reveal the personality of the performers because of the great variety of pieces. After the first piece with its beautiful, flowing arpeggios, comes the second piece colored with mysterious chords, including dissonant ones, and the third piece, which evokes a murmuring stream, followed by a series of highly varied pieces that make full use of all 12 tones. Aimi Kobayashi fully conveyed the rich expressive power of this collection of pieces, and her performance of each piece reflected the character of each piece in what could be described as a straightforward manner. Just by listening to the melody of the inner voice hidden in the simple No. 1, you will realize that this is no ordinary performance. As you listen to the music, you will be comforted by Chopin's lack of melancholy. However, as we reach the halfway point in the collection, when the music starts to use the many changes of key that Chopin excelled at from No. 9 onward, you can clearly hear the depth of expression. This is the true expression of Kobayashi singing along with Chopin. In No. 16, he shows a fierce expression as if he is going to throw everything away, which is a wonderful change from the calmness of the famous No. 15 "Raindrops". The intensity of the performance is breathtaking, and it continues all the way through to No. 24.The two preludes that accompany it are also superbly rendered, and the free expression in the Fantasy Polonaise and the final Fantasy Improvisation make this a truly dramatic piece. (1/2) Warner Music Japan

Tracklisting:

1.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.1 in C: Agitato
2.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.2 in A minor: Lento
3.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.3 in G: Vivace
4.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.4 in E minor: Largo
5.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.5 in D: Molto allegro
6.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.6 in B minor: Lento assai
7.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.7 in A: Andantino
8.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.8 in F sharp minor: Molto agitato
9.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.9 in E: Largo
10.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.10 in C sharp minor: Molto allegro
11.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.11 in B: Vivace
12.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.12 in G sharp minor: Presto
13.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.13 in F sharp: Lento
14.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.14 in E flat minor: Allegro
15.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.15 in D flat: Sostenuto ("Raindrop")
16.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.16 in B flat minor: Presto con fuoco
17.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.17 in A flat: Allegretto
18.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.18 in F minor: Molto allegro
19.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.19 in E flat: Vivace
20.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.20 in C minor: Largo ("Chord"/"Funeral March")
21.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.21 in B flat: Cantabile
22.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.22 in G minor: Molto agitato
23.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.23 in F: Moderato
24.24 Preludes Op. 28 CT 166-89~No.24 in D minor: Allegro appassionato
25.Prelude in C sharp minor Op.45: Prelude No. 25 CT 190: Sostenuto
26.Presto con leggierezza Kk IVb/7: Prelude No.26 in A flat CT 191
27.Polonaise-Fantaisie in A flat Op.61 CT 156
28.Fantaisie-Impromptu in C sharp minor Op.66 CT 46