Frederic Chopin The Complete Preludes Rafal Blechacz DG 2533413 9586

INTERNATIONAL WARSAW CHOPIN COMPETITION WINNER MAKES HIS FIRST RECORDING FOR DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON Polish pianist Rafal Blechacz, born on June 30, 1985, has been cited by critics as one of those talents that only come along every few decades--his playing is characterized by its elegance, delicacy, and a poetic solemnity that has invited comparison to the legendary pianists of the early 20th century, including Krystian Zimerman, who is a Blechacz supporter and mentor. Blechacz burst on to the scene with a sensational victory at the famed Warsaw Chopin Competition in October 2005-- the jury awarded him not only the rarely given first prize but also all four special prizes for best sonata, mazurka, concerto, and polonaise performance. Since then, Blechacz has performed all over Europe and Japan to high critical acclaim and already ensured himself a huge following among piano aficionados. In October 2008 Blechacz will make his debut with the New York Philharmonic. Blechacz's first album for Deutsche Grammophon is a recording of the complete Chopin Preludes--one of Chopin's most lyrical and best-known piano cycles and the perfect program to introduce the audience to the artistry of this exceptional young pianist. The Preludes are coupled with the two Nocturnes op. 62, arguably the climax of Chopin's achievements in this genre. A remarkable album by a unique young pianist--Rafal Blechacz's Deutsche Grammophon debut could easily join those legendary first recordings of Chopin competition winners of the past.

"Pure magic, filigree detailing and gorgeous trills and turns. He has an almost feminine elegance and a command of technique that allows him to print a personal inflection even on a cascade of notes...How reassuring it is to see one so young putting poetry first...we were all on another planet."

Financial Times (London)

“Blechacz is a superlative pianist but an even finer musician, and this is playing of exceptional clarity and expressive beauty. Everything Blechacz does seems natural and organic, and his ability to phrase Chopin’s long lines with an inner sense of time and space is a constant joy . . . Blechacz’s playing exudes subtlety and musical insight . . . ”

BBC Music Magazine, London, December 2007

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