Here’s a recital of works linked to Chopin’s sojourn in Stuttgart and to his diary entries at the time, hence the “Chopin’s Diary–Stuttgarter Tagebuch” title. It’s an interesting concept, but for the most part I find it difficult to warm to Pavlos Hatzopoulos’ playing. I admire his refusal to milk the B minor Scherzo’s trio and G minor Ballade’s introduction, yet his lack of assertion and fingerpower in the same works’ virtuosic writing is a liability. Ditto the pianist’s tinkly, underplayed “Revolutionary” Etude. He’s much better in the Polonaise-Fantasie, although others infuse the central section and final pages with more breadth and drama. If the A minor Waltz seems slightly square and flippant next to Rubinstein’s cello-like phrasing, the B minor Waltz’s basic rhythm lurches to and fro.
Had I not encountered the 88-year-old Earl Wild’s miraculously detailed account of the Fantasie-Impromptu (Ivory Classics), I’d be happy to live with Hatzopoulos’ forthright and lively interpretation. Of the two Nocturne performances, the Op. 48 C minor stands out, and it’s easily the best thing on the disc. Hatzopoulos takes great care to shape the central octave sequences for maximum dynamic and emotional impact, from their initial, quiet rumblings to their wailing descents. If only the remaining performances were on this level!
