mathpianist93 Says:

Mar 20, 2008 - Really good atmosphere of calm portrayed here.

NuclearTide Says:

Apr 12, 2008 - Look at 00:18 to 00:21; you hear a crescendo and decrescendo without Blechacz playing an extra note - a technique that requires great musicality. Brilliant.

stan724 Says:

Apr 28, 2008 - I love this movement. Some critics have said it is the weakest part of the sonata, primarily because of the loosely structured strung-out nature of it. It does present special interpretive challenges to the performer. First of all, there's the tempo to consider; it's a slow movement but it must move and not drag. This tempo sounds good. Then there must be the right tension to hold the structure together, notably the middle section. Above all, however, this movement must sing, sing, sing.

gerardbedecarter Says:

Jun 14, 2008 - As a stand-alone piece this would probably be too long, but as the slow movement of Chopin's massive four-movement B minor sonata it is necessary. The first movement has an intellectually weighty contrapuntal section and the movement is [over]loaded with wonderful melodier/ideas. The second movement is over almost before it has started. The fourth movement rushes headlong to its denoument. I think this movement is not too long in its context. And I don't think it is loosely structured. Agree?

liszt85 Says:

Jul 1, 2008 - What in hell made you write such a stupid ass comment!! :P

liszt80 Says:

Aug 9, 2008 - Very good pianistm sure... but I don't think he is the "ultimate Chopin player", as I read. We know from contemporaries that Chopin's playing was "a concert of sylphs or elves". Can you hear something like that in Blechacz playing? I have expected to hear at least a truly tender "pianissimissimo" at 8:01... Nothing. IMHO there are many better, more emotive and deep Chopin players.

liszt80 Says:

Aug 9, 2008 - ... and something else: he is strictly in tempo, like a machine! Did he ever listen how "old-school" singers sang? There was no rhythmical rigour, they used to sing with "tempo rubato", slowing down or speed up to emphasize at most the meaning of the music. I really can't hear that in his playing. Chopin Sonatas from Yundi Li and Maurizio Pollini are FAR better! Such pianissimos, such poetry, such "living the music" and not only playing it!

organman52 Says:

Aug 12, 2008 - Thanks for the critique of Chopin's masterpiece. Now would you please get to work on the OTHER 64 works with opus number, and the posthumous works as well? The world really needs to know what YOU think about the quality of Chopin's music.

organman52 Says:

Aug 12, 2008 - 1] Listening to what 'critics' say is a waste of time.2] Nothing Chopin ever wrote is 'loosely structured'.3] How does 'tension' hold structure together? The world would love to know.4] To think that there is ANY 'interpretation' involved in playing this - or any music - is assinine.This is now a world where everyone has their say about everything, and in which everything is good and beautiful. Doesn't anyone believe that Chopin had an exact idea in mind as to how his music should sound?

stan724 Says:

Aug 13, 2008 - According to you, Chopin wrote 64 "OTHER" works with opus numbers, the Sonata making it 65. Until I read your statement I was under the mistaken impression that Chopin published 65 opus numbers, the last being the cello and piano sonata. Many opuses contain multiple compositions and, although I haven't counted them, add up to many more than 65. Thank you for setting me straight.

organman52 Says:

Aug 13, 2008 - I am fully aware of the fact that many of Chopin's opus numbers contain more than one piece. Anyone who knows anything about music would have to know that. What YOU are doing here is looking for ANYTHING you possibly can to drag me down to your level. Guess what? It's not possible. You are a pedant and a devil's advocate, and like all pedants and devils advocates, you know it. Why don't you waste someone else's - or your own - time with you ridiculous comments?

eMyZeTa Says:

Sep 2, 2008 - maybe his "rigour" could mean a deep synthesis of all pianissimos and rubato and ritenuto which you say..have you ever thought about this possibility?

liszt80 Says:

Sep 2, 2008 - I just think he plays in superficial fashion. Colleen Lee here aside is just marvellous, the way Chopin should be played!

liszt80 Says:

Sep 2, 2008 - Listen Colleen Lee (better) 8:50-end and then Blechacz (worse) 7:50-end, you'll see the difference! Pianissimo, ritardandos, the sound! Everything is better in Lee.

chopinandliszt Says:

Sep 7, 2008 - I totally agree with you, organman. There is a British critic called David C F Wright. He wrote an article about Chopin's music and concluded he was not a great composer. Well, I read it once and was very disappointed by his poor knowledge about Chopin's music. I mean no offense, but I really think prejudiced critics should really keep their mouths closed and get some hobbies. They pretend to be enlightening heroes or revolutionary thinkers, but their ignorance can never be kept secret.

chopinandliszt Says:

Sep 7, 2008 - David C F Wright, a British critic, says famous composers aren't necessarily great and some limited composers are considered great because they are famous. He says people believe in lies and myths and make limited composers great. In his article, "definition of a great composer", he talks about Chopin's orchestration in F minor Concerto and concludes Chopin was not a great composer. (in a single paragraph) What a pathetic critic... Chopin excelled at composing for the piano.

chopinandliszt Says:

Sep 7, 2008 - David C F Wright tries to explain some composers' significance and accomplishments in a few paragraphes. I wonder why he never writes bibliographies or notes to cite the information sources he uses. Musicologists and music professors write massive, detailed essays to summarize composers' achievements. Wright never does that. What's more? I had hard time understanding all the vague words he used, "pretty music", "too long", "boring". I would advice Wright to get some elementary essay lessons.

organman52 Says:

Sep 7, 2008 - I repeat - the physical gesturing is totally unnecessary, therefore, it is artificial.

organman52 Says:

Sep 7, 2008 - The very idea that ANYONE - let alone a music 'critic'- had the audacity to criticize Chopin is not only ridiculous but it reveals the 'critic' to be a worthless piece of cultural garbage. There are NY times critics who ROUTINELY criticize Chopin and Schumann, but NEVER utter a single word of negativity against the likes of spohr, mercadante, rosetti and danzi. Nor do they ever speak negatively about 'modern' music - mostly more garbage.

organman52 Says:

Sep 7, 2008 - The opening measures are UNINTELLIGIBLE rhythmically. This is all about Mr. Blechacz, and it has nothing to do with Chopin. Why can't he just PLAY THE PIECE?He's just another impersonator. Millions of people can do what he is doing here.

organman52 Says:

Sep 7, 2008 - And furthermore, these 'critics' will rot in hell for the damage they are doing to otherwise potentially good listeners.

organman52 Says:

Sep 7, 2008 - He really should wait another five seconds before coming down on the C major 6/4 chord at 0:12.I loathe these professional distortionists.

ohvg61 Says:

Sep 24, 2008 - i COMPLETELY agree with organman52!!!

carlosr86 Says:

Oct 3, 2008 - Yes guys, very good.. I see you certainly know a lot.. it's the same shit after a soccer match, all the critics "ohh why did the coach made that guy play and not that one.."... just shut up and go win the Chopin Competition... Music is much more than just "oh this should be this way, or this other way".. there are rules, of course.. but come on.. it's romanticism, the whole philosophy of the time.. it isn't approppiate to have sex with all women, right? Wasn't Liszt doing that? Come on..

FranzFerencLiszt Says:

Nov 9, 2008 - Absolutely wonderful piece