For the sixth volume of his Chopin project, the Canadian pianist and exclusive Chandos Artist Louis Lortie has built a programme that includes works from the earliest to the latest periods in the composer's life, all of which have connection with or focus on Chopin's Polish identity. The Hommage Ã Mozart, Op. 2 is a brilliant set of variations on 'LÃ ci darem la mano' from Don Giovanni. Chopin composed it originally for piano and orchestra, in 1827, when he was just seventeen, and later made this arrangement for solo piano (a common practice at the time). The two Polonaises, Op. 40 date from the late 1830s, and contain some of his most openly nationalistic writing. The first - nicknamed 'Military' - evokes sentiments of national identity and pride, whilst the second, more melancholy work portrays feelings evoked by Poland's vanished statehood. Lortie concludes the album with Chopin's Fantaisie, Op. 49, from 1841. This work exemplifies the brilliant improvisatory style of Chopin's writing for piano. These works are interspersed with four sets of Mazurkas, Opp. 6, 24, 41, and 67. Chopin almost single-handedly introduced the Mazurka to Paris when he arrived there in the late 1820s, and continued to compose them throughout his life, transforming the Polish dance form into some of his most dazzling and memorable compositions.

Tracklist:

1.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 6, No. 1
2.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 2 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 6, No. 2
3.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 3 in E Major, Op. 6, No. 3
4.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 4 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 6, No. 4
5.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 14 in G Minor, Op. 24, No. 1
6.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 15 in C Major, Op. 24, No. 2
7.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 16 in A-Flat Major, Op. 24, No. 3
8.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 17 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 24, No. 4
Variations on La ci darem from Mozart's Don Giovanni, Op. 2 (version for piano)
9.Â Â Â Introduction: Largo
10.Â Â Â Theme: Allegretto
11.Â Â Â Variation 1: Brillante
12.Â Â Â Variation 2: Veloce, ma accuratamente
13.Â Â Â Variation 3: Sempre sostenuto
14.Â Â Â Variation 4: Con bravura
15.Â Â Â Variation 5: Adagio
16.Â Â Â Alla polacca
17.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 42 in G Major, Op. 67, No. 1
18.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 43 in G Minor, Op. 67, No. 2
19.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 44 in C Major, Op. 67, No. 3
20.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 45 in A Minor, Op. 67, No. 4
21.Â Â Â Polonaise No. 3 in A Major, Op. 40, No. 1, "Military"
22.Â Â Â Polonaise No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 40, No. 2
23.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 27 in E Minor, Op. 41, No. 1
24.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 28 in B Major, Op. 41, No. 2
25.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 29 in A-Flat Major, Op. 41, No. 3
26.Â Â Â Mazurka No. 26 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 41, No. 4
27.Â Â Â Fantasy in F Minor, Op. 49

UPC: 095115211724
Label: Chandos
Release Date: 11.6.20
Format: CD

Chopin / Lortie - Louis Lortie Plays Chopin 6 (CD)