Search - Ivo Pogorelich Plays Chopin, Haydn and Mozart on DVD

'Out-of-the-way' Chopin, authentically charming Mozart, and

Abel | Hong Kong | 09/09/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Conventional listeners would want to pass over Pogorelich's Chopin.
His Chopin is heavy stuff.
The 'lengthy' No. 3 Sonata (Op. 58) opens very slowly, as do most of his Chopins in this DVD. Only if you are patient enough would you get his message: the first movement of No. 3 works out great counterpoints as movement develops. The 2nd movement is too 'slow' for conventional players - isn't it marked 'vivace'? Only if you come with 'clean ears' could you catch the beautiful contrast in the two basic motives. The last movement is, however, stunning by any standard.
The "Turkish" sonata in A of Mozart, however, is a success even by the most conventional standards. Kids play this piece, but to play it in the way it 'should' be played is certainly not kiddy stuff. If only the 'Minuetto' 2nd movement could have more of a dance lilt in it, the performance would be perfect. The fingering of Pogorelich in this piece has to be seen to be believed. Great mastery over the seemingly simple musical lines.
The A flat major Haydn sonata is another piece the playing of which blows the viewer and listener right off. Immaculate phrasing, elegant technique, crystalline ornamentation, devilishly effective dynamics are all but supplements to a great interpretation of the piece. Only if Ivo would have more recordings of Haydn!
The camera work is superb in this DVD, so even if you are not a fan of Pogorelich's stolid performance style (chewing gum included), as a documentary of a famously controversial pianist, this DVD is well worth it.
One question - why was this being shot in 1988 and released only in 2007?"