Daniil Trifonov (dan-EEL TREE-fon-ov) is a Russian pianist that is making a spectacular sound in the world of classical music as a solo artist, a champion of the concerto repertoire, a collaborator at the keyboard in chamber music and song, and a composer. Trifonov’s playing is a combination of consummate technique and intense sensitivity. Focusing on Chopin in the 2017-18 season, he releases Chopin Evocations, his fourth album as an exclusive Deutsche Grammophon artist, which includes both works by Chopin himself and, marking Trifonov’s first foray into a new repertoire, works of 20th-century composers who were greatly influenced by the Polish master, including Samuel Barber, Federico Mompou and others. Just listen to the power, accuracy and emotion that he gets out of “Chopin: Variations On “La ci darem la mano,” Op. 2- Variation 5.” He is a stunning performer and that’s the short of it!
Chopin Evocations
CD 1
1-3. CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor op. 21
4-11. CHOPIN Variations on Mozart’s “Là ci darem la mano” op. 2
12. SCHUMANN Carnaval op. 9 – No. 12 Chopin. Agitato
13. GRIEG Étude “Hommage à Chopin” op.73 no. 5
14. BARBER Nocturne op. 33
15. TCHAIKOVSKY Un poco di Chopin op. 72 no. 15
CD 2
1. CHOPIN Rondo for Two Pianos in C major op. posth. 73
2-4. CHOPIN Piano Concerto No. 1 in E minor op. 11
5-17. MOMPOU Variations on a Theme by Chopin
18. CHOPIN Impromptu no. 4 in C sharp minor (“Fantaisie-Impromptu”) op. 66
Released on October 6, 2017
Deutsche Grammophon
2 hours 19 minutes
The solo and duet selections are outstanding quality. The Chopin Rondo for Two Pianos, with the equally great Sergei Babayan, is splendid.
The concertos, re-orchestrated by Mikhail Pletnev, who conducts, are not fully successful. The new orchestrations are not better than the originals. Compared to Trifonov’s dynamic playing the re-orchestrations of the concertos garner less enthusiasm.