About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

In most cases, Murray Perahia's good taste, extraordinary technical skills, and introspective, controlled temperament hold him in good stead in Chopin's works, and he is usually a reliable interpreter of this composer's music. But Perahia's playing seems out of balance in his 2001 performances of the two sets of etudes. Of course, technique dominates these pieces, and Perahia's attention is sharply focused on his execution. His rapid runs, firm octaves, and leaps across the keyboard are impressive, crisply articulated, and delivered with flair. However, several opportunities for deep, lyrical expression are missed, and Perahia seems to hold back, waiting instead for the next great flurry of notes. Perhaps he consciously tried to avoid sentimentality, which is too often lavished on "No. 3," "No. 6," and "No. 11" from Op. 10, and "No. 1," "No. 17," and "No. 19" from Op. 25. But these are the moments where he seems a little too dry and clinical. This 2004 reissue has been remastered for the Masterworks Expanded Edition, and while some may enjoy the beefy sound of the boosted bass, it seems artificial and occasionally jarring. The pleasant bonus tracks of the three "Impromptus, Opp. 29, 36, and 51," and the evergreen "Fantasy-Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op. 66," were recorded in 1983 and released on Sony. Blair Sanderson, All Music Guide

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