French harpsichordist and fortepianist Justin Taylor is celebrated for his stylish interpretations of early music. Keen to match the works he tackles with the most appropriate historical instruments, Taylor presents a program of intimate Chopin miniatures on a Pleyel pianino. The pianino, a small upright piano of six and a half octaves that was only made between 1835 and 1842, is the instrument on which Chopin composed some of his preludes during his stay with George Sand in Mallorca. Showcasing the instrument’s natural resonance and velvety timbre, Taylor has recorded the preludes composed on this Pleyel pianino along with a selection of etudes, nocturnes, and mazurkas as well as his own transcription of Bellini’s “Casta diva,” an aria that Chopin much admired.
My hottest take is that the proliferation of high-end grand pianos with ultra-refined sound can actually obscure the musical intent of historic composers composing on more “flawed” instruments. Justin Taylor has done an excellent job confirming my biases with this album, a collection of Chopin miniatures performed on a historic Pleyel pianino, the same kind of instrument Chopin himself often composed on. Well worth a listen.
Similar Releases
-
Bill & FriendsWilliam Christie, Théotime Langlois de Swarte -
DestinéesJustin Taylor, Lucile Boulanger, Sophie de Bardonnèche -
The Poet and ProdigyMark Edwards, Debra Nagy, Les Délices -
The Age of ExtremesIl Pomo d'Oro, Francesco Corti -
Douce FranceBenjamin Bernheim, Carrie-Ann Matheson -
Vox FeminaeLes Kapsber'girls
