Frederic Chopin(1810-1849)
      Barcarolle, Opus 60

Ivan Moravec
Philips 456910 (2cd's)
Great Pianist Series
Recorded 1969 for Connoisseur Society

Reviewers, just like other listeners, have their personal preferences
concerning performance style.  However, there are times when reviewers
praise a recorded performance which is some distance from the bed of
preferences, a performance which is so compelling that all established
priorities totally dissolve.

That's my situation concerning Ivan Moravec's 1969 recording of Chopin's
Barcarolle.  Could Moravec be more powerful and desperate along the lines
of Harasiewicz or Favre-Kahn?  Certainly.  Could he be more incisive to
the tune of Sofronitsky's interpretation?  No doubt, but none of this
matters.

As I have mentioned before in this review project, the emotional foundation
for the Barcarolle is 'rapture'.  Although Moravec is not powerful and
does not strongly project the intensity of the Barcarolle, there isn't
a version on the market which delivers such a complete degree of rapture
from the opening bars to the conclusion.

How does Moravec do it?  First, he has the 'velvet touch' that he is so
noted for in most of his recordings.  Whether it's Schumann's Kinderszenen
or Chopin's Barcarolle, that touch of his is mesmorizing.  Second, his
inflections and articulation are superb as he always pierces the core
of the music's rapture.  Third, playing quite slowly, he exquisitely
details every note and nuance with a rhythmic pulse that's quite varied
and sounds like the only right way to play the music.

Moravec's transcendent interpretation and execution are only enhanced
by a wonderful soundstage that's amazing for the 1969 date of recording.
All of Moravec's detail is captured in sound which possesses just the
right mix of resonance and placement.  There is a minimal hiss, but a
performance like Moravec's makes one immediately forget the slight
interference.

This Moravec 2-cd set has other Chopin performances including the
Polonaise-Fantaisie, Opus 31 Scherzo, Opus 52 Ballade, seven Mazurkas,
and two Nocturnes.  The 2nd disc includes Franck's Prelude, choral et
fugue, Ravel's Sonatine, and Debussy's Images and Pour le piano. It's
all 'prime-time' artistry and mandatory for every piano enthusiast except
those who already have these recordings from their original sources.

Don's Conclusions: Moravec's Barcarolle joins the exalted level of the
best recorded interpretations.  You won't find a version of greater
rapture and distinction, so just let it cover you with a sensuality you
likely didn't know resides in the Baracarolle.

Don Satz
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