Chopin: The Complete Preludes

This review is from: Chopin: The Complete Preludes (Audio CD) Vanessa Perez is a rare breed of pianist - a sensitive and passionate player that lights up the keyboard whenever appropriate. The perfect example of this is the contrast between the incredibly moving 15th Prelude (the Raindrop) and the 16th Prelude. In the Raindrop, her playing ranges from tender to deep to even quite intense. Just after, Miss Perez launches a thunderous run through one of the most exciting moment of the Preludes. Overall, her approach to the Preludes is illuminating - almost like a chameleon that changes colors to fit in with its changing environment. The additional Preludes, rarely played, are quite a delight. She makes a compelling argument that the works ought to be performed more often. Yet there is so much more to the CD, with the Barcarolle and Fantasy also on the program. Any pianist that can play the Preludes, Barcarolle, and Fantasy this well is a superb pianist. The works demand so many different types of qualities from the musician. In the Barcarolle, she builds from the lovely opening to build waves of momentum that create a heroic element to the work. Meanwhile, her Chopin Fantasy possesses all of the drama and excitement necessary to showcase this fiery woprk, easily one of Chopin's lengthiest single movement solo works. The sound on the recording is excellent, and the piano sound is perfectly suited to the repertoire.