tudes

How does one review a cd like this? Words are the problem. I can't think of any that do it justice. Brilliant, mind blowing, staggering - all pale shadows of what it deserves. I had thought that Sokolov's Chopin could not be bettered, but I was wrong. Lisitsa's playing is unbelievable - not just in shattering virtuosity, but in grasp of musical structure. Every note she plays is perfectly controlled, whether it is the right hand blasting off a torrent of notes like a machine gun, or the left hand playing underlying melodies that had not always been apparent in other performances. She seems to play straight through each set of studies - no edits or retakes, but no need for them anyway. However many versions of these Etudes you have, and I have a lot, you will have heard nothing like this. The virtuosic and beautifully played Schumann at the end is a bonus.

Valentina Lisitsa is currently my favourite pianist and her interpretation of various Etudes is an absolute delight. Certainly, a 'must have' CD to addto any classical collection. I now have several of her CD's and they all slot nicely into my moments of relaxation.

Exceed any expectation. It's an amazing work on the renowned op 10 and op. 25 Etudes. A recording not to be missed, to complete your CD collection of favourite pianists playing this Chopin's cycle.

A wonderful performance

Lovely take on the Chopin Etudes; very brisk and flowing interpretation

Beautiful renditions of some truly difficult pieces, with superb audio quality, well, on the CD version at least. Valentina is amazingly talented and it shows here. Sadly this audio quality doesn't apply to the free auto-rip copies Amazon give you which are distorted to high heaven.

As accomplished as ever. She is so exciting to hear live and on Disc. See the samples on you tube.

I love all she does. She is an absolute heroine of the piano - in style, technique, interpretation....and a wonderful personality. But I just feel there is here and there too much speed for its own sake. I say this reluctantly. The admiration is undimmed!