Wilhelm Kempff - Chopin: Piano Works, Vol. 2 (1997)

Wilhelm Kempff (1895-1991) regarded by many as the premier pianist of Beethoven and Schubert of the 20th century, offers an equally great recital of Chopin's masterpieces. No matter which composition you choose, you will hear performances of poetic playing, inspired lyricism and exceptional clarity. As pianist Alfred Brendel stated, "...At his best, he plays more beautifully than any of us." The above statement by the famous pianist of our time applies very much to this CD compilation, for it contains some of the most beautiful Chopin recordings ever made.
Chopin loved great singing and attended the Grand Opera in Paris quite often, although he never composed one. Nevertheless, he wrote quite a large number of art songs as souvenirs for various friends never paying attention to publish them. He personally accompanied many famous sopranos in performances of his songs such as Pauline Viardot and Countess Defila Potocka. Nineteen of his songs survive to this day and they become more well known with time. Six of them were transcribed as concert works for piano solo by composer/pianist Franz Liszt.
Chopin was a great musician and a great pianist for whom cantabile was the essence of music. In his compositions he created a singing tone of the piano, which in this recital is faithfully realized by Wilhelm Kempff. Kempff's legato is exemplary in the first movement Allegro maestoso and the third movement Largo of the Sonata in B minor, Op. 58. As well as in the Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, in Eb Major, Op. 22. The cantabile playing, a beautiful singing tone, is also very much in evidence in the performance of the great and imaginative Polonaise-Fantasie, Op. 61, which was a specialty of many great pianists of the past, particularly Artur Rubinstein and Vladimir Horovitz and here Wilhelm Kempff is playing it most beautifully. In sum a great CD. Very highly recommended for every music lover.