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Charles Richard-Hamelin - Chopin Preludes, Andante Spianato & Grande Polonaise Brillante makes THE CLASSIC REVIEW - Four Recent Chopin Albums

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THE CLASSIC REVIEW writes.....I was quite positive in my review of Charles Richard-Hamelin's previous Chopin release, which included the two Piano Concertos, and liked his album of the four Ballades and Impromptus. I described his performance as "…assured, calm and rather unsentimental." Hamelin's take on the Preludes is coming from the same musical mind, but this calmness somewhat works against these particular pieces.

The slower preludes (No. 6 is a good example), are robed of their fluidity and nervousness, and the whole performance is dominated by reflectiveness that weakens the musical argument. There is some impressive pianism, though, like in the second Prelude, where the left hand is masterfully leading the way to the main melody. Nice recording and instrument too, but this will satisfy mainly dedicated fans of this talented artist.

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