Chopin Etudes, Op.10; Rondos Frederic Chiu, piano (harmonia mundi)
Frederic Chiu has won accolades for his Prokofiev recordings, but in this Chopin program the young American pianist proves just as insightful. Taking the Polish composer’s detailed markings at face value, Chiu’s incisive playing strips away traditions of over-romanticized affectation to give us performances that blend mature intelligence with youthful fire. Elegant yet not overrefined, Chiu’s strongly articulated and rhythmically alert playing of Chopin’s studies makes even the familiar works like the Etude in E major emerge fresh and unhackneyed. Yet there is no lack of virtuosity, and the bracing speed and clean articulation of Chiu’s Etude in C-sharp minor are exhilarating.
Chiu frames the 12 Etudes with Chopin’s four Rondos, works not programmed with great regularity. Here, the pianist is just as successful, and in the Op. 73 Rondo, Chiu provides an alternate reading for two pianos in which he plays both parts. This is Chopin playing of great integrity and distinction, and with a recording to match, deserves the widest circulation.
