Chopin, Maria João Pires – Chopin

Chopin – Chopin
Frédéric Chopin
Performed by Maria João Pires (piano), with Pavel Gomziakov (cello)

A deeply personal and poetic programme from one of Chopin’s most sensitive modern interpreters, this collection highlights the intimacy, lyricism, and emotional refinement at the heart of his late works. Maria João Pires brings a uniquely transparent and unforced touch to this repertoire, allowing Chopin’s melodic lines and harmonic subtleties to unfold with natural expressive flow.

The Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58 stands as one of Chopin’s most structurally ambitious works. Balancing virtuosic brilliance with lyrical introspection, it moves from the majestic opening Allegro maestoso through a brilliant scherzo, a deeply expressive Largo, and a final movement of driving, perpetual motion energy.

The set of Nocturnes, Mazurkas, and Valses reveals Chopin’s more intimate musical world - miniatures that distil emotion into finely shaped phrases. The Nocturnes Op. 62 in particular show a late style of increased harmonic subtlety and reflective calm, while the Mazurkas and Valses capture both folk-inspired rhythm and salon elegance, often with a bittersweet undertone.

The inclusion of the Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op. 65 adds a chamber dimension, pairing Pires with cellist Pavel Gomziakov. This late work is one of Chopin’s most substantial chamber compositions, blending lyrical depth with structural clarity across four movements.

Together, these works present Chopin at his most introspective, refined, and emotionally direct - music shaped by nuance rather than excess.

Tracklist:

Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor, Op. 58
1-1. I. Allegro maestoso – 13:42
1-2. II. Scherzo: Molto vivace – 2:43
1-3. III. Largo – 10:23
1-4. IV. Finale: Presto non tanto – 5:48

2 Nocturnes, Op. 62
1-5. No. 1 in B major – 7:25
1-6. No. 2 in E major – 6:30

3 Mazurkas, Op. 59
1-7. No. 1 in A minor – 3:22
1-8. No. 2 in E-flat major – 2:42
1-9. No. 3 in F-sharp minor – 3:36

2-1. Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-flat major, Op. 61 – 14:03

3 Mazurkas, Op. 63
2-2. No. 1 in B major – 2:05
2-3. No. 2 in F minor – 2:08
2-4. No. 3 in C-sharp minor – 2:06

3 Valses, Op. 64
2-5. No. 1 in D-flat major – 1:57
2-6. No. 2 in C-sharp minor – 3:16
2-7. No. 3 in A-flat major – 3:31

2-8. Mazurka in G minor, Op. 67 No. 2 – 1:38
2-9. Mazurka in A minor, Op. 67 No. 4 – 2:26

Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op. 65
Cello: Pavel Gomziakov
2-10. I. Allegro moderato – 17:10
2-11. II. Scherzo – 5:36
2-12. III. Largo – 3:56
2-13. IV. Finale: Allegro – 7:12

2-14. Mazurka in F minor, Op. 68 No. 4 – 2:31