Album

At the turn of the nineteenth century, the waltz was a disreputable dance that was frequently banned for the same reasons that the tango was so disdained near the turn of the twentieth century: sexual innuendo and excessive proximity between the two dancers. This is a bit difficult to believe in modern times, when the waltz is viewed as a courtly and almost noble dance. There are moments when pianist Eugéne Mursky does a splendid job of juxtaposing a touch of sultry with equal measure of grace and nobility. The A minor Waltz, Op. 34/2, and the famous C sharp minor Waltz, Op. 64/2, are quite successful in depicting the intimacy once associated with the dance. Throughout the album, Mursky's playing is clean, well-paced, and emotive without being overdone. The feature that prevents this recording from being held in the same esteem as the gold-standard recordings by the likes of Rubinstein, Arrau, or Pollini is recorded sound quality. Unlike the great recordings of these works, Profil's sound is very dull and the lower register of the instrument is insufficiently reproduced, resulting in a very unbalanced sound. Despite Mursky's noble efforts, this album is not a clear alternative to others already on the market.

© Mike D. Brownell, All Music Guide

CD 1
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in Eb, Op.18 ('Grande valse brillante') Work Evgene Mursky Piano
1	Waltz in Eb, Op.18 ('Grande valse brillante')	5:31			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Waltzes, Op.34 Work 13:58 Evgene Mursky Piano
2	2.No.2 in A-	5:27			$0.99
3	2.No.2 in A-	6:06			$0.99
4	3.No.3 in F	2:25			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in Ab, Op.42 Work Evgene Mursky Piano
5	Waltz in Ab, Op.42	4:03			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Waltzes, Op.64 (includes 'Minute Waltz' and famous Waltz in C#-) Work 9:05 Evgene Mursky Piano
6	No.1 in Db ('Minute')	1:48			$0.99
7	No.2 in C#-	4:07			$0.99
8	No.3 in Ab	3:10			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 2 Waltzes, Op.69 Work 8:00 Evgene Mursky Piano
9	1.No.1 in Ab ('Valse de l'adieu')	3:56			$0.99
10	2.No.2 in B-	4:04			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Waltzes, Op.70 Work 8:30 Evgene Mursky Piano
11	No.1 in Gb	2:14			$0.99
12	No.2 in F-	3:19			$0.99
13	No.3 in Db	2:57			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in E-, KKIVa/15, CT.222 Work Evgene Mursky Piano
14	Waltz in E-, KKIVa/15, CT.222	3:11			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in Ab, KKIVa/13, CT.221 Work Evgene Mursky Piano
15	Waltz in Ab, KKIVa/13, CT.221	1:31			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in E, KKIVa/12, CT.220 Work Evgene Mursky Piano
16	Waltz in E, KKIVa/12, CT.220	1:31			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in A-, KKIVb/11, CT.224 Work Evgene Mursky Piano
17	Waltz in A-, KKIVb/11, CT.224	2:41			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in Eb, KKIVb/10, CT.223 Work Evgene Mursky Piano
18	Waltz in Eb, KKIVb/10, CT.223	1:44			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer Waltz in Eb, KKIVa/14 (spurious) Work Evgene Mursky Piano
19	Waltz in Eb, KKIVa/14 (spurious)	2:30			$0.99
Frédéric François Chopin Composer 3 Waltzes, Op.34 Work Evgene Mursky Piano
20	1.No.1 in Ab	4:27			$0.99