Ingrid Fliter - Chopin: Preludes - SA-CD.net

Performance: 4 stars

Sonics: 4.5 stars

I was very impressed by the recent recording of the two Chopin Piano Concertos by Argentinian pianist Ingrid Fliter on the Linn label Chopin: Piano Concertos - Fliter, and this follow-up recital continues to shows her to be a performer of great distinction in Chopin's solo piano works.

It hardly needs saying that as so many distinguished pianists have recorded the '24 Preludes', most Chopin aficionados will already have their favourite version - Cortot, Rubinstein, Argerich, Pollini - the list is endless, but Fliter's compelling performances of these masterpieces are definitely worth consideration.

There is an unaffected simplicity in her playing of No.4 and No.7 and throughout she applies a judicious rubato with a degree of finesse that achieves personal performances of character. Her sure control of dynamics is evident in No.20 and she brings a wide range of expression to No.15 the celebrated 'Raindrop' prelude. Though I find find her at her best in the slower and more lyrical preludes there is no lack of virtuosity in her performances of the faster ones such as No.16 which is delivered with real fire while the power and weight of her pianism comes to the fore in the stormy G minor (No.22) and final D minor (No.24) preludes.

Fliter's choice for the remainder of this generously filled disc (73min.) is her selection of five Mazurkas and two Nocturnes. She captures perfectly the wistful moods of these haunting and often melancholic pieces and the unforced eloquence of her playing in all of them is a delight. In addition, Flitter's performances of Chopin's 'Trois Écossaises' Op.72 are available as a free bonus download from http://www.linnrecords.com/recording-chopin-preludes.aspx.

The recording made by Philip Hobbs at Potton Hall, Suffolk in June 2014 is clear and possesses an ambience that provides a convincing sense of the venue's acoustic. Care though is needed in setting the volume control if an occasional degree of hardness in the piano tone is to be avoided. Excellent notes by Professor Jim Samson complete this most enjoyable SACD.