Album

The 2005 compilation The Very Best of Chopin draws on Turkish pianist Idil Biret's prize-winning recordings of the complete solo piano works and concertos of Frédéric Chopin for the Naxos label done in the 1990s. Biret is an extremely talented musician who drew praise from Emil Gilels and Wilhelm Kempff as a young performer. Her affinity for Chopin's music won her high honors in Chopin's homeland. What's included here are the most beloved of Chopin's works, played with thorough musicianship by Biret, from the flowing Barcarolle to the carefree "Minute" Waltz, Op. 64/1, or Mazurka in D major, Op. 33/2, to the patriotism of the "Héroic" Polonaise, Op. 53. Her sensitive phrasing and touch highlight the slow movement from each of the piano concertos. Also included are the sparkling Grand Polonaise for piano and orchestra, Op. 22, and the Funeral March from the Piano Sonata No. 2. Also, fitting in nicely with Biret's perceptive interpretations and another of Chopin's lyrical treasures is the Largo from the Cello Sonata, Op. 65, performed by Maria Kliegel and Bernd Glemser. All in all, this album is a great choice for an introduction to the music of Chopin.

© Patsy Morita, Rovi

CD 1 of 2
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Barcarolle in F#, Op.60 Work Idil Biret Piano
1	Barcarolle in F#, Op.60	8:42			$1.49
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 12 Etudes, Op.10 Work Idil Biret Piano
2	No.3: Lento ma non troppo in E ('Tristesse')	4:34			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Nocturnes, Op.9 (includes the famous 'Nocturne in Eb') Work Idil Biret Piano
3	No.2 in Eb	4:32			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Cello Sonata in G-, Op.65 Work Maria Kliegel Cello, Bernd Glemser Piano, Idil Biret Piano
4	3.Largo	3:31			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Waltzes, Op.64 (includes 'Minute Waltz' and famous Waltz in C#-) Work Idil Biret Piano
5	No.1 in Db ('Minute')	1:48			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 2 Nocturnes, Op.27 Work Idil Biret Piano
6	No.2 in Db	6:17			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Scherzo No.2 in Bb-, Op.31 Work Idil Biret Piano
7	Scherzo No.2 in Bb-, Op.31	10:59			$1.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 2 Nocturnes, Op.27 Work Idil Biret Piano
8	No.1 in C#-	4:03			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Piano Concerto No.2 in F-, Op.21 Work Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Kosice Orchestra, Robert Stankovsky Conductor, Idil Biret Piano
9	2.Larghetto	9:28			$1.49
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Nocturnes, Op.15 Work Idil Biret Piano
10	No.2 in F#	3:49			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 4 Mazurkas, Op.17 Work Idil Biret Piano
11	4.No.4 in A-	4:35			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Sonata No.2 in Bb-, Op.35 Work Idil Biret Piano
12	3.Marche funèbre: Lento	9:17			$1.49
CD 2 of 2
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 12 Etudes, Op.10 Work Idil Biret Piano
1	No.12: Allegro con fuoco in C- ('Revolutionary')	2:58			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Ballade No.3 in Ab, Op.47 Work Idil Biret Piano
2	Ballade No.3 in Ab, Op.47	7:43			$1.49
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Nocturne in E-, Op.72, No.1 Work Idil Biret Piano
3	Nocturne in E-, Op.72, No.1	4:39			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in Eb, Op.18 ('Grande valse brillante') Work Idil Biret Piano
4	Waltz in Eb, Op.18 ('Grande valse brillante')	5:35			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise, Op.22 Work Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Kosice Orchestra, Robert Stankovsky Conductor, Idil Biret Piano
5	Andante spianato and Grande Polonaise, Op.22	9:35			$1.49
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 24 Preludes, Op.28 Work Idil Biret Piano
6	15.Sostenuto in Db ('Raindrop')	5:53			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 4 Mazurkas, Op.33 Work Idil Biret Piano
7	No.2 in D	2:33			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Fantaisie-impromptu in C#-, Op.66 Work Idil Biret Piano
8	Fantaisie-impromptu in C#-, Op.66	5:30			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Waltzes, Op.64 (includes 'Minute Waltz' and famous Waltz in C#-) Work Idil Biret Piano
9	No.2 in C#-	3:58			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Polonaise No.6 in Ab, Op.53 ('Heroic'), CT.155 Work Idil Biret Piano
10	Polonaise No.6 in Ab, Op.53 ('Heroic'), CT.155	7:19			$1.49
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Berceuse, Op.57 Work Idil Biret Piano
11	Berceuse, Op.57	4:41			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Piano Concerto No.1 in E-, Op.11 Work Slovak State Philharmonic Orchestra Kosice Orchestra, Robert Stankovsky Conductor, Idil Biret Piano
12	2.Romanze: Larghetto	11:47			$1.99