Chopin: Piano Sonatas Nos. 2 & 3, Nocturnes, Berceuse, Barcarolle

1	Berceuse for piano in D f
2	Piano Sonata No. 2 in B f
3	Piano Sonata No. 2 in B f
4	Piano Sonata No. 2 in B f
5	Piano Sonata No. 2 in B f
6	Nocturnes (2) for piano,
7	Nocturnes (2) for piano,
8	Barcarolle for piano in F
9	Piano Sonata No. 3 in B m
10	Piano Sonata No. 3 in B m
11	Piano Sonata No. 3 in B m
12	Piano Sonata No. 3 in B m
Chopin: Piano Sonatas Nos. 2 & 3, Nocturnes, Berceuse, Barcarolle
1.	Berceuse for piano in D flat major, Op. 57, CT. 7 4:32
	Composed by Frédéric Chopin
	Performed by Marc-André Hamelin
2.	Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT. 202 21:48
	Composed by Frédéric Chopin
	Performed by Marc-André Hamelin
3.	Nocturnes (2) for piano, Op. 27, CT. 114-115 11:13
	Composed by Frédéric Chopin
	Performed by Marc-André Hamelin
4.	Barcarolle for piano in F sharp major, Op. 60, CT. 6 8:47
	Composed by Frédéric Chopin
	Performed by Marc-André Hamelin
5.	Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58, CT. 203 30:12
	Composed by Frédéric Chopin
	Performed by Marc-André Hamelin

All Music Guide

Two different sides of composer Frédéric Chopin highlight the two sides of pianist Marc-André Hamelin on this 2008 recording. The four single-movement works here -- the "Berceuse," the "Barcarolle," and the two "Nocturnes, Op. 27" -- require a superlative technique to pull them off, but they need more of a poetic sensibility to put them across to the listener. On the other hand, the two big four-movement works -- the sonatas in B flat minor and B minor -- demand superhuman technique, but require less of a poetic sensibility. As his many previous Hyperion recordings have demonstrated, Hamelin is one heck of a technician and his performances here have a fire, passion, and charisma that recall the great pre-war Chopin players. His heroic tone and blazing attack in the sonata's opening movements is staggering, his incandescent velocity in the "B flat minor Sonata"'s closing Presto stunning, and the scorching ferocity of his "B minor Sonata"'s closing Presto non tanto truly overwhelming. But Hamelin is also a poet and his nuanced touch in the "Berceuse," sensuous phrasing in the "C sharp minor Nocturne," and evocative coloring in the Trio of the "B minor Sonata"'s Scherzo hit the sweet spot. Captured in clear but warm digital sound, these performances are well worth hearing by anyone who admires the composer or the pianist or simply enjoys great piano playing. James Leonard

New York Times

Chopin offers full scope not only for [Hamelin's] bravura impulses (which he indulges lustily) but also for an astonishing lyrical gift that increasingly comes to light. The opening Berceuse in D flat is melting. James R. Oestreich

Gramophone

[Hamelin] lets the music speak through him most eloquently.... Hamelin has made many fabulous discs, particularly in repertoire of superhuman virtuosity, [but] this is one of his very finest achievements to date. Harriet Smith