“In fine form here Mursky clearly relishes these Chopin Mazurkas with highly consistent playing which never fails to lift the spirits. Keeping idiosyncrasy at bay, splendidly managed is the tone and texture. There is an uncommon music sense of phrasing from Mursky together with an abundance of rhythm and style.”

Michael Cookson, Musicweb International, London

www.musicweb-international.com

RECORD OF THE MONTH

“The cool and vividly clear sound quality shows Mursky to his best advantage. … I loved every minute of this outstanding release with Mursky providing accounts that can stand comparison with the finest. Clearly born to play Chopin he is in quite remarkable form.”

Michael Cookson, Musicweb International, London

• “On the Introduction and Variations on Der Schweizer Bub, he sparkles. The carefree emotional tone of the variations and their opportunity to display his virtuosity fit Mursky’s style perfectly” – Fanfare Magazine
• 24 Preludes op. 28
• Prelude in c-sharp minor, op. 45
• Prelude in A-flat
• Introduction and Variations on a German air “Der Schweizerbub”
• Variations brillantes on Je vends des scapulaires from Herold’s Ludovic op. 12
• Souvenir de Paganini Variations on La ci darem la mano from Mozart’s Don Giovanni, op. 2 (Solo-Version)

RECORD OF THE MONTH  “Those who still look down on Chopin’s songs should give this a listen. I’m sure they will be converted – just as I was” – Konrad Jarnot (baritone) / Eugène Mursky (piano) – www.musicweb-international.com – Göran Forsling, Musicweb International, London

“The question of the correct dosage is certainly the most delicate, especially in the Chopin playing. Is it about feeling reinforcement, demonstration of expressive qualities? How quickly does such a spinned, self-centering nocturne, such as the well-known and most popular in C sharp minor, op. posth, to the proximity of “Salonkitsch”! And how fragile it can sound, if the same means are applied sparingly and purposefully, each subject to the rhetoric of a phrase.

“…Mursky’s dignity and understatement in the Barcarolle, Fantasie and Berceuse take him a long way on an always elusive journey. His Fantasie is clear-sighted and musicianly, the opening stealthy march and assuaging reply most sensitively nuanced and phrased, the central B major section a movingly simple oasis of calm. – Gramophone Magazine

“Crossing the Rubicon from pragmatism to poetry and transforming each study into a tone-poem of the highest quality is a supreme test of musicianship, and although Mursky is able he is rarely remarkable.” – Gramophone Magazine

“Generally, Mursky is at his finest in the early Polonaises, approaching their graceful contours and ear-tickling virtuosity with a special care and affection as well as generously offering virtually all the repeats” – Gramophone Magazin

“…this is his most compelling CD release to date, with no small help from the Bavarian Radio production team’s warm, intimate sonics.” Classics Today

“Eugéne Mursky gives the waltzes a very personal touch…”
– Piano News

“Have you ever imagined what Chopin might sound like when played in the style of Glenn Gould’s Bach? Well, here’s your chance to find out! Eugéne Mursky’s highly analytical, compulsively detailed performances X-ray the works down to their linear skeletons, uncovering inner voices and hidden melodies within flurries of passagework that even Josef Hofmann and Shura Cherkassky couldn’t divine. Forget about narrative sweep, rhythmic life, heartfelt lyricism, and any other characteristics that characterize “normal” Chopin playing” – Classics Today