COMPOSERS: Chopin Arr. Godowsky
LABELS: Decca Ovation
WORKS: Etudes and Waltzes
PERFORMER: Jorge Bolet (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: 425 059-2 ADD (1978)
If you have never come across Godowsky’s arrangements of Chopin then this CD makes compulsive listening. Abandon all notions of respectability as Chopin’s already luxurious writing is embellished and tarted up to within an inch of its life. Sneer at the vulgarity of it all and between fits of outrage try to admire the cleverness, not only of this supreme lily-gilder, but of Jorge Bolet, who makes it all sound easy, even if rather humourless. Christopher Lambton
Chopin Arr. Godowsky
If you have never come across Godowsky’s arrangements of Chopin then this CD makes compulsive listening. Abandon all notions of respectability as Chopin’s already luxurious writing is embellished and tarted up to within an inch of its life. Sneer at the vulgarity of it all and between fits of outrage try to admire the cleverness, not only of this supreme lily-gilder, but of Jorge Bolet, who makes it all sound easy, even if rather humourless. Christopher Lambton
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:34 pm