Maria João Pires - Chopin - The Nocturnes (1996) Lossless

Pires' interpretations are really stunning, whether you are listening to her Mozart, Schumann or Schubert, or her Chopin. She captures more emotion, more grace, than any other pianist I have heard. And I have heard the nocturnes by so many of our great pianists -- Arrau, Barenboim, Novaes to name a few. Pires has a different approach, a kindness to her touch on the piano, that fluffs out these noctures, filling them with a patience, an adoration, that has not been recorded before. The fluidity and style comes not just from Pires' fingers but from her heart, and what you get is a rich evocation not just of Chopin's notes on the paper but of his own heart and mind. These are not your typical, textbook interpretation. If you want that, I suggest the very nice Barenboim. But if you've heard these works many times before and want a change, something different, something fuller and more romantic, tender as well as subtlely powerful, do try this Pires. You will hear the noctures as you have never heard them before -- perhaps even think that these are new, undiscovered works, they differ so delightfully from others' recordings. This collection is far superior to any of her predecessors', and I would think that years from now she'll be admired as having delivered a classic performance on these CDs.