Wigmore Hall Live - Ewa Podles & Garrick Ohlsson - Frédéric Chopin

Album Description

Experience the captivating voices of Ewa Podles and Garrick Ohlsson in this live recording from the prestigious Wigmore Hall, released in 2009. This album is a stunning collection of songs by Frédéric Chopin, Sergei Rachmaninov, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and Modest Mussorgsky, along with Karol Szymanowski's evocative "Masques." The album features Ewa Podles' powerful contralto voice, accompanied by the masterful piano playing of Garrick Ohlsson.

The album opens with a selection of Chopin's 17 Polish Songs, Op. 74, including gems like "Gdzie lubi" and "Wojak." These pieces showcase Chopin's deep connection to his Polish roots and his ability to convey profound sentiments through melody. Rachmaninov's songs, such as "Khristos voskres" and "Davno v lyubvi," add a touch of Russian romance and introspection. Tchaikovsky's contributions, including "Ya li v pole da ne travushka bila" and "Nyet, tol'ko tot kto znal," bring a sense of lyrical beauty and narrative depth. Mussorgsky's "Songs and Dances of Death" offers a dramatic and haunting contrast, with pieces like "Kolibelnaya" and "Polkovodets" highlighting the composer's unique and powerful style.

Karol Szymanowski's "Masques" Op. 34 provides a modern and sophisticated counterpoint to the more traditional pieces, with tracks like "Sheherazade" and "Serenade de Don Juan" showcasing the composer's innovative approach to melody and harmony. The album concludes with an encore performance of Rachmaninov's "Prokhodit vsyo," adding a final touch of elegance and refinement.

This live recording captures the energy and intimacy of a Wigmore Hall performance, making it a valuable addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection. The chemistry between Ewa Podles and Garrick Ohlsson is palpable, resulting in a performance that is both technically impressive and deeply moving. Whether you're a fan of Chopin, Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, or Szymanowski, this album offers a rich and varied listening experience that highlights the best of Russian and Polish classical vocal and piano repertoire.

March 2, 2009

Frédéric Chopin, born in 1810 near Warsaw to a French father and Polish mother, was a virtuoso pianist and composer who left an indelible mark on the Romantic era. Renowned for his poetic genius and unparalleled technical prowess, Chopin's compositions, primarily for solo piano, continue to captivate audiences worldwide. His repertoire, including iconic pieces like the Preludes, Nocturnes, and Waltzes, showcases his emotional depth and innovative musical style. Chopin's life, though brief, was marked by his extraordinary talent, which he began displaying at the tender age of seven. His debut in Vienna at just 19 years old set the stage for a career that would solidify his status as one of the greatest composers of his time. Chopin's music, characterized by its expressive melodies and intricate harmonies, remains a cornerstone of classical piano repertoire, inspiring generations of musicians and enthusiasts alike.