Pianist Iddo Bar-Shai chose to record thirty mazurkas in almost chronological order to present every type and show how Chopin's style evolved throughout his life.
Historical Context
The Abbey of Fontevraud, founded in 1101, was a double-order abbey ruled by 36 abbesses and served as a royal necropolis for the Plantagenet family.
Composer Biography
Chopin devoted his attention almost exclusively to the piano, making it his most intimate confidant, and his works reflect his complex and passionate personality.
Performer Biography
Iddo Bar-Shai, an Israeli pianist born in 1977, began his international career at age 11 with a scholarship from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation.
Recording & Production
This recording was made at the Royal Abbey of Fontevraud in September 2008, utilizing the exceptional acoustic qualities of its Refectory and High-Dormitory.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Chopin's mazurkas are deeply connected to Poland and its history, subtly expressing his patriotism, which led Schumann to compare them to "cannon hidden among flowers."
Compositional Technique
Chopin's mazurkas, while retaining a national triple time, feature audacious harmonic twists, strange chords with modal flavors, and dissonances that must have surprised contemporary audiences.
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