For all the obvious refinement, pianistic control, and forethought Piotr Anderszewski brings to his first solo disc devoted to Chopin’s works, the composer’s essence often eludes the pianist. There’s a studied, hothouse quality to the interpretations that more often than not sidesteps the music’s stylistic and emotional DNA. In the two Polonaises, for instance, Anderszewski’s acute attention to detail (the painstakingly-voiced E major trio in Op. 53, the F-sharp minor’s exceptionally clean left-hand runs) is achieved at the expense of the overall rhythmic swagger and forward momentum. While the more lyrical Mazurkas more easily absorb Anderszewski’s introspective beat stretching, he slows Op. 63 No. 2 (F minor) down to straightjacketed somnambulation. Only in the final pages do the A-flat Ballade’s lilt and dynamism manifest themselves, although the pianist’s steadily maintained tempo relationships in the F minor Ballade give continuity to the increasingly decorated theme statements.
When all is said and done, you can’t help but admire Anderszewski’s beautiful tone and feeling for nuance–and the fact that he can do anything he wants on the piano. Our reference versions, however, still hold forth as first choices.
