Murray Perahia - Chopin: 24 Études, Op. 10 & Op. 25 (2014)

This disc, well recorded in 2001, received many critical plaudits upon its first issue as here. It entered a fairly competitive market with well regarded recordings made by many of the world's finest Chopin players.

Perahia, sometimes described as the poet of the keyboard, delivers a set of readings on this disc that fit that general description. One is aware of a greater use of light and shade than is often the case. He also makes use of more sparing rubato. Neither of these features is a universal element in terms of these pieces which, at base level, are studies designed to expose and remedy technical flaws.

The etudes are targeted at particular technical issues and it is therefore an implied requirement that tempo should be kept steadier than in other compositions. What Perahia has done on this recording is to broaden the focus to include other musical notions such as phrasing and touch and to do this he has been prepared to be more flexible in terms of basic tempo. Perahia has a considerable technique and that is made clear in a handful of etudes that are played quicker than usual. Thus the listener is able to accept more easily the times when slower or more varied tempi are used as there can be no doubt that such interpretive decisions have been taken regardless of technical competency.