Vittorio Forte – Chopin: Waltzes (2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/88,2kHz]

The Waltzes are perhaps Chopin’s lighter works, even though they remain distant from the world of dance-music written for the ball room. Just as his mazurkas, Chopin’s waltzes were not conceived for dancing. Chopin’s first waltz dates to 1824, when he was fourteen; the last he wrote was the last piece for solo piano he published, in 1847.

Although Chopin seems to have written many waltzes, in reality only eight were published during his lifetime (Opp. 18, 34, 42, 64); several others were lost, and some are still – sadly – in private hands.

In this album the listener will find the alternative versions of the Waltzes Op. 69 and Op. 70 No. 2. The piece marked “Sostenuto,” in 3/4, can also be considered a waltz, despite its less complex development, and was included. Italian pianist Vittorio Forte is a well-known name in France, where he has an active performance activity. His pianism is characterized by elegance, excellent control, and a marked virtuosic character.

The recording, fully natural, took place using two pairs of Brüel & Kjær microphones.

Tracklist:
1-1. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in E-Flat Major, Op. 18 ‘Grande valse brillante’ (05:50)
1-2. Vittorio Forte – 3 Grandes valses brillantes, Op. 34 – No. 1 in A-Flat Major (05:07)
1-3. Vittorio Forte – 3 Grandes valses brillantes, Op. 34 – No. 2 in A Minor (05:58)
1-4. Vittorio Forte – 3 Grandes valses brillantes, Op. 34 – No. 3 in F Major (02:24)
1-5. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 42 (04:07)
1-6. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in D-Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1 ‘Minute’ (02:02)
1-7. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 64 No. 2 (03:47)
1-8. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 3 (03:12)
1-9. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 69 No. 1 ‘L’adieu’ (Ed. J. Fontana) (04:34)
1-10. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in B Minor, Op. 69 No. 2 (Ed. J. Fontana) (04:30)
1-11. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in G-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 1 (Ed. J. Fontana) (02:12)
1-12. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in F Minor, Op. 70 No. 2 (Ed. J. Fontana) (03:19)
1-13. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in D-Flat Major, Op. 70 No. 3 (Ed. J. Fontana) (03:13)
1-14. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. Posth., B. 21 (01:35)
1-15. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in E-Flat Major, Op. Posth., B. 46 (03:00)
1-16. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in E Major, Op. Posth., B. 44 (02:31)
1-17. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in E Minor, Op. Posth., B. 56 (03:06)
1-18. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in A Minor, Op. Posth., B. 150 (02:28)
1-19. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in F Minor, Op. 70 No. 2 (Alternative Version) (01:58)
1-20. Vittorio Forte – Sostenuto in E-Flat Major, Op. Posth., B. 133 (01:42)
1-21. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in A-Flat Major, Op. 69 No. 1 ‘L’adieu’ (Alternative Version) (03:26)
1-22. Vittorio Forte – Waltz in B Minor, Op. 69 No. 2 (Alternative Version) (04:34)
1-23. Vittorio Forte – Cantabile in B-Flat Major, B. 84 (01:34)