Like other titles in this substantial Decca series, Ultimate Chopin is a box set devoted to recordings drawn from the label's prestigious backlist, designed to give beginners and casual listeners a well-rounded introduction to this Romantic master of piano music. The affordable package of five CDs includes Chopin's two concertos for piano and orchestra, as well as his solo keyboard works, such as the nocturnes, ballades, preludes, impromptus, and waltzes. By no means is this the entirety of Chopin's output, for many ...
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Like other titles in this substantial Decca series, Ultimate Chopin is a box set devoted to recordings drawn from the label's prestigious backlist, designed to give beginners and casual listeners a well-rounded introduction to this Romantic master of piano music. The affordable package of five CDs includes Chopin's two concertos for piano and orchestra, as well as his solo keyboard works, such as the nocturnes, ballades, preludes, impromptus, and waltzes. By no means is this the entirety of Chopin's output, for many significant works are not included, including the sonatas, scherzos, etudes, polonaises, and mazurkas, to name only keyboard works, so the term "ultimate" is hyperbolic. Furthermore, these should not be misconstrued as greatest hits, for most of Chopin's music is beloved and the selection was not based on popularity, but on being a representative and well-balanced offering. Still, this is an impressive amount of music for beginners to absorb, and the performances by such major artists as...
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