Details: John Browning (1933-2003), Chopin Etudes. RCA Victrola, 1969. Total time: 56:29.
Before I knew what they were called I heard -- and saw -- Chopin études played on the piano at home. My mother was a classically trained pianist with a conservatory master's degree who performed and taught piano. I remember hearing and watching her play several of these études especially Op. 25 No.1 and Op. 25 No. 8 which are both so familiar.
John Browning recorded all 24 of these études in 1968 and in my book this is THE definitive version. Maurizio Pollini comes close but that's about it. Browning delivers a superb, nearly perfect recording -- no idiosyncratic interpretations, just straight up virtuoso in his prime, faithful to the complicated brilliance of these pieces. Browning gives these works the kind of clarity (thin-slicing they call it these days) and majestic playing they deserve. All are fantastic but Op. 10 No. 8 really stands out along with the two openers (Op. 10 No. 1 and Op. 25 No. 1) and Op. 25 No. 7.
If I was forced to select only 12 albums I could keep, this one probably makes the cut. Browning passed away last decade at his home in Sister Bay, Door County, Wisconsin. He should have gotten more acclaim in his lifetime as this recording, I feel, does for the Chopin études what Glenn Gould did for Bach's Goldberg Variations. It's a shame the recording is not more widely known or available. But now you know about it.
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