Chopin, Vladimir Ashkenazy – The Nocturnes

Frédéric Chopin – The Nocturnes
Vladimir Ashkenazy

A complete journey through one of the most intimate and poetic collections in piano literature, The Nocturnes by Frédéric Chopin are performed here with sensitivity and finesse by Vladimir Ashkenazy. Known for his lyrical touch and interpretive clarity, Ashkenazy brings warmth, balance, and emotional depth to these timeless works.

Chopin’s nocturnes are studies in atmosphere and expression - music of quiet reflection, subtle ornamentation, and deeply personal feeling. Across the set, the pieces range from the gentle elegance of the early Op. 9 works to the more complex and harmonically rich later nocturnes, revealing the evolution of Chopin’s style over time.

Ashkenazy’s performances avoid excess, focusing instead on natural phrasing and tonal beauty, allowing the music’s introspective character to speak for itself. Each piece feels carefully shaped yet spontaneous, capturing the delicate balance between structure and freedom that defines Chopin’s writing.

A cornerstone recording for piano lovers, this collection offers both a comprehensive overview and a deeply rewarding listening experience - refined, expressive, and endlessly evocative.

Tracklist:

Disc 1
1-1 – Nocturne No. 1 in B-flat minor, Op. 9 No. 1
1-2 – Nocturne No. 2 in E-flat major, Op. 9 No. 2
1-3 – Nocturne No. 3 in B major, Op. 9 No. 3
1-4 – Nocturne No. 4 in F major, Op. 15 No. 1
1-5 – Nocturne No. 5 in F-sharp major, Op. 15 No. 2
1-6 – Nocturne No. 6 in G minor, Op. 15 No. 3
1-7 – Nocturne No. 7 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 1
1-8 – Nocturne No. 8 in D-flat major, Op. 27 No. 2
1-9 – Nocturne No. 9 in B major, Op. 32 No. 1
1-10 – Nocturne No. 10 in A-flat major, Op. 32 No. 2
1-11 – Nocturne No. 11 in G minor, Op. 37 No. 1
1-12 – Nocturne No. 12 in G major, Op. 37 No. 2

Disc 2
2-1 – Nocturne No. 13 in C minor, Op. 48 No. 1
2-2 – Nocturne No. 14 in F-sharp minor, Op. 48 No. 2
2-3 – Nocturne No. 15 in F minor, Op. 55 No. 1
2-4 – Nocturne No. 16 in E-flat major, Op. 55 No. 2
2-5 – Nocturne No. 17 in B major, Op. 62 No. 1
2-6 – Nocturne No. 18 in E major, Op. 62 No. 2
2-7 – Nocturne No. 19 in E minor, Op. 72 No. 1
2-8 – Nocturne No. 20 in C-sharp minor, B. 49
2-9 – Nocturne No. 21 in C minor, B. 108