Customer Rating: 
Summary: THE EXCELLENCE OF INGRID FLITER: ELEGANT, SENSITIVE, BRILLIANT CHOPIN
Comment: Five WONDERFUL Stars!! Award-winning virtuoso classical pianist Ingrid Fliter (FLEEter) has recorded a marvelous group of well-known Romantic pieces by Polish classical genius Frédéric Chopin. When one is dealing with such familiar musical territory, the interpreter must be on their 'A-game' and Ms Fliter, who grew up in a home where Chopin was heard and played often, has great mastery of this maestro's musical world. The Argentina-born pianist won the silver medal in the prestigious 2000 Chopin International Piano Competition (to Yundi Li's gold) and the prestigious (and lucrative) Gilmore Artist Award, which is awarded every four years to a pianist of "truly exceptional quality". Based on this performance and video performances that I have seen, she is worthy of all of those accolades.
The 'best of the best' begins with the wide-ranging "Ballade No. 4" which is a performance of pure beauty allowing demonstration of both her sensitivity and pianistic firepower on one of Chopin's most wonderous compositions. "Impromptu in C-Sharp Minor" which is more nuanced than others I have heard (Arrau for example) especially in the beginning of the A section where her main theme flows out of the left hand figurations rather than springing immediately to the front: much more organic. The superior interpretation of the B section, which is the basis of the popular theme "I'm Always Chasing Rainbows", has more 'wonder' to it than is usually heard. Ms Fliter is giving her insights into the song based on her extraordinary technique, while retaining the intent of the composer and the Romantic spirit. The "Barcarolle" conjures up the boat-ride theme wonderfully and "Grande Valse Brillante" is just that and more. Likewise "Minute Waltz" and the Opus 59 Mazurkas are excellent with Fliter's subtle shadings conjuring up Chopin's remembrance of his beloved Poland from a foreign land. Ingrid Fliter demonstates a deep understanding of Chopin and gives an enjoyable, insightful, and crisp interpretation of each work. HIghly recommended. Five ROMANTIC Stars!!
(This review is based on an iTunes download, with booklet in English, French, and German)
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very fine Chopin recital!
Comment: I wasn't overly familiar with Ingrid Fliter's work. She is an Argentinian pianist who has come to international renown in the last couple years. On Martha Argerich's urging, she continued her musical career in Europe and tours globally.
Her Chopin is wonderful - full-sounding yet sensitive, emotional but strong. The Ballade is terrific - one of the best I have heard (my favorite is Maurizio Pollini's version). The other pieces are equally beutiful and competent - remniscent of Vladimir Ashkenazy; very clear, beautiful playing. Check the sound samples here for yourself, or check out some videos of her on youtube.
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