Chopin: Waltzes (CD review)

Eugene Mursky, piano. Profil PHO4066.

Eugene Mursky, born in Uzbekistan in 1975, has won a number of international piano competitions and awards, and certainly he demonstrates the dexterity and flamboyance to one day become a world-class and world-famous pianist. His playing of the Chopin waltzes is dazzling in its technique and should win over more than a few new converts to his cause.

Polish composer and pianist Frederick Chopin (1810-1849) wrote about eighteen waltzes that scholars are sure of, with another dozen or so that some people question. The remarkable thing about them is not that they are in traditional ¾ waltz time but that Chopin intended them for concert play rather than dancing, and most of them are fairly difficult to play. Nevertheless, Mursky plays them with ease, with a sense of refinement and comfort, the interpretations almost completely free of pretense or affectation. In other words, he would appear to put the music ahead of himself.

However, I would warn that comparisons can be hard on a fellow. My comparison in this case was Arthur Rubinstein, whose Chopin waltz recordings on RCA have always been my personal favorites. Side by side, I'm afraid Mursky, as good as he is, comes off as technically skilled rather than emotionally inspired. Rubinstein is both eloquent and articulate. His Chopin possesses brilliance and heart in equal measure. In contrast, Mursky can sometimes seem rushed, more content to display his blazing finger work than to put his soul into the music.

Profil's recording is slightly closer than RCA's, too, providing a bit more precision but not as much bloom. Mursky seems to be performing in a studio, while Rubinstein could be on a concert stage. Both are quite good, just different. I might also add that at this time RCA offers the Rubinstein collection at mid price, whilst Profil is at full price.

JJP