Chopin

VASSILY PRIMAKOV. CHOPIN - SONATAS/BALLADES/SCHERZOS - 2 DISC SET CHOPIN. A Life long Journey... It is hard to explain my life long attraction to this composer. It began back in Moscow, Russia. I was ten. The first "big piece" that I tackled with my teacher at the time, Vera Gornostaeva, was the Waltz in E flat Major, Op.18. It was an immense challenge for me. I remember struggling to comprehend what Ms. Gornostaeva was explaining to me - all the nuances of the different sections and the ever so illusive mystery of Chopin's rubato, his rhythmical gracefulness and so on. I believe this is when I firmly decided to continue the ongoing search/struggle/affair with this composer. Since then, I have frequently performed Chopin's works. Even when my recital programs do not include any of his pieces, I end up playing at least a couple of Mazurkas as encores. There is an emotional and a physical need to have this composer present in my life at all times. That need is driven not just by the love for Chopin's music, which is apparent, but also by his music's ability to constantly remind me of my own journey and a desire to continuously grow. I guess in many ways, it is about the "unobtainable" - the constant journey, constant wandering, constant trying, failing, at times succeeding and then again, continuing the never ending SEARCH! This search is something I have always cherished as an artist, and I sincerely hope that I will always continue this journey - as both, a musician and a human being, no matter what! In many ways, this present Album (2 Disc Set) represents a stepping-stone. By all means, it is not an album of achievements. It is an album of search! Pieces that have long been dear to me, assembled together for the first time. Therefore, when I recorded these works, I had a very clear vision: which was not to make just a very good studio album where all is clean and tidy, NO!!! Instead, I wanted this to represent my current vision, TODAY's vision, of these pieces. My current interpretations - performed not for a studio setting, but the way I would play them on stage! Slightly exaggerated, maybe sometimes faster in speed and with the adrenalin rush that is usually present on stage, but NOT always in a studio, and emotionally truthful and raw. While listening to these tracks, I asked myself whether I am satisfied? The answer is, of course, NO - but am I happy with how it turned out at this stage of my journey? Absolutely YES. I know there will be a time when I will look back and possibly criticize my interpretations, but not today. Today, I want to share with my audience and listeners how this music has affected me up to now, and how I have lived through it thus far. 3 Sonatas (No. 1 in C Minor, Opus 4; No. 2 in B flat Minor, Opus 35; and No. 3 in B Minor, Opus 58) It needs to be pointed out that out of three Sonatas, the Second and the Third are much loved, often performed and, to this day, present in almost every pianist's repertoire worldwide. The First Sonata has it's own unfortunate fate of being constantly overlooked and largely neglected. I must say, my eternal gratitude goes to Vera Gornostaeva, who was not only the teacher, but also the person, who inspired me to learn this piece in the first place. She performed all 3 Sonatas of Chopin, and recorded the First Sonata back in 1958 for Melodiya (possibly the first person to ever record it). Her passion for this work was contagious. When I first started reading it, I immediately realized how absolutely precious this work is. Yes - It is not yet a flower; it is a flower bud. The genius of Chopin is not yet fully blossoming, but it is there, and just about to go on a fascinating journey of self-discovery. The work was composed in 1828, under the tutelage of Józef Elsner, to whom it is dedicated. Despite having an opus number, the sonata was not published until 1851. Later in life, Chopin considered revisiting this early work and revising it, however, whether due to his poor he