Chopin: Polonaises (Pollini)

Authoritative interpretation. Strong, commanding. Great force from transparently virtuoso Maurizio Pollini.
Perfectly strict left hand in Polonaise héroïque.
Deutsche Grammophon CD, with Maurizio Pollini, piano, recorded 1976

Name	Key	Catalogue	Instruction	Observations
Polonaise 1	C#m	op. 26 #1	Allegro appassionato
Polonaise 2	Ebm	op. 26 #2	Maestoso
Polonaise 3	A	op. 40 #1	Allegro con brio	'Militaire'
Polonaise 4	Cm	op. 40 #2	Allegro maestoso
Polonaise 5	F#m	op. 44	Tempo di polacca - doppio movimento, tempo di Mazurka - Tempo 1
Polonaise 6	Ab	op. 53	Maestoso	'Héroïque'
Polonaise 7	Ab	op. 61	Allegro maestoso	Polonaise-Fantaisie

Chopin's Polonaises at Wikipedia

Chopin:Préludes/Impromptus

I might be saying a blasphemy, and I declare myself guilty. But this is the best CD I have found to be working, while listening to it. They are so varied and melodious. Sweet or strong, energetic or reflexive. Beautiful interpretations by Claudio Arrau.

In this Philips/Decca CD, Arrau plays Chopin, with recordings from 1974 and 1981.

24 Préludes, Op.28

1. C
2. Am
3. G
4. Em
5. D
6. Bm
7. A
8. F#m
9. E
10. C#m
11. B
12. G#m
13. F#
14. E#m
15. Db
16. Bbm
17. Ab
18. Fm
19. Eb
20. Cm
21. Bb
22. Gm
23. F
24. Dm
• Prélude in C#m, Op.45
• Prélude in Ab, Op.posth.

Impromptus

• No.1 in Ab, Op.29
• No.2 in F#, Op.36
• No.3 in Gb, Op.51
• No.4 in C#M, Op.66 "Fantaisie-Impromptu"

Chopin: Waltzes, Impromputs

This RCA Red Seal CD boasts Arthur Rubinstein's interpretation of Chopin. I would have to admit that it is until these recordings that I have a new feeling regarding Chopin. Before, I enjoyed the virtuous line as a chain of fioriture, but with Rubinstein, it seems to recover a sense that brings Chopin to the front, and not just the piano. I would have to fully agree with the description given by Harvey Sachs (as per the booklet): "extraordinary pose and tonal beauty".

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Waltz for piano	E flat major	Op. 18, CT. 207		Grande valse brillante
Waltz for piano	Ab	Op. 34 No.1, CT. 208		Valse brillante
Waltz for piano	Am	Op. 34 No.2, CT. 209		Valse brillante
Waltz for piano	F	Op. 34 No.3, CT. 210		Valse brillante
Waltz for piano	A flat major	KK IVa/13, CT. 221 (B. 21)		Two-four
Waltz for piano	Db	Op. 64 No.1, CT. 212		Minute
Waltz for piano	C#	Op. 64 No.2, CT. 213
Waltz for piano	Ab	Op. 64 No.3, CT. 214
Waltz for piano	Ab	Op. 69 No.1, CT. 215		L'Adieu
Waltz for piano	Bb	Op. 69 No.2, CT. 216
Waltz for piano	Gb	Op. 70 No.1, CT. 217
Waltz for piano	Fm	Op. 70 No.2, CT. 218
Waltz for piano	Db	Op. 70 No.3, CT. 219
Waltz for piano	E minor	KK IVa/15 CT. 222 (B. 56) op. posth.		opus posthumum
Impromptu for piano	A flat major	Op. 29, CT. 43
Impromptu for piano	F sharp major	Op. 36, CT. 44
Impromptu for piano	G flat major	Op. 51, CT. 45
Fantasy-Impromptu for piano	C sharp minor	Op. 66, CT. 46		Fantaisie Impromptu

Backhaus/Rubinstein: My Favourite Piano

This Centurion CD is to listen to Wilhelm Backhaus interpreting Brahms, and to listen to Rubinstein's interpretation of Chopin. If you rather expect a bright sounding version of these works, you should look for a more recent recording, as Backhaus' sound is quite dull. The Recordings are from 1936 and 1946.
Beautiful and unique interpretations each.
Brahms' walzes are quite lively and folk, which was a surprise to me, as I had associated with him a more severe mood.

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
Brahms: 16 Walzer for solo piano		No.1-16	Wilhelm Backhaus	1936
Chopin: 24 Préludes		op.28, 1-24	Arthur Rubinstein	1946

Chopin+Pollini: 12 études op.25

What a delicious CD. It flows glowing. Soft, virtuous, precise.
This is CD #7 in the Maurizio Pollini edition box set.

See this post on Pollini's interpretation of Brahms to see another superb recording.

Deutsche Grammophon page.

Maurizio Pollini, Fréderic Chopin (1810-1849). Deutsche Grammophon 1972(études), 1985(sonata), 1991(Berceuse). 

Name	Key	Catalogue	Musicians	Observations
12 Études		op.25		Ab: Allegro sostenuto Fm: Presto F: Allegro Am: Agitato Em: Vivace G#m: Allegro C#m: Lento Db: Vivace Gb: Allegro assai Bm: Allegro con fuoco Am: Lento - Allegro con brio Cm: Molto allegro con fuoco
Piano Sonata no.2	Bbm	op.35		Grave - Doppio movimento Scherzo Marche funèbre. Lento-attacca Finale. Presto
Berceuse	Db	op.57