Frederic CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Piano Sonata No. 3 in B minor Op 58 (1844)
Andante maestoso [10.07]
Scherzo: Molto vivace [2.51]
Largo [9.02]
Finale: presto [5.26]
Polonaise-Fantaisie in A flat major Op 61 (1846) [13.42]
Ballade No. 4 in F minor Op 52 (1842-43) [11.44]
Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante in E flat major Op 22 (1836)
[15.15]
Ingolf Wunder (piano)
rec. Funkhaus Berlin Nalapastrasse, Saal 1, 2/2011
DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON 477 9634 [68.09] 
Ingolf Wunder, a pupil of Adam
Harasiewicz, achieved some fame when he came second at the Chopin international
piano competition in 2010. Many experts thought Wunder should have won. It
was as a result of this controversy that he was given a contract with Deutsche
Grammophon. For his first CD, Wunder has elected for a selection of Chopin’s
most famous masterpieces some of which he played during the competition.
Wunder is more of a poet of the piano than a firebrand although he clearly
has an excellent technique. He has an exceptionally beautiful tone and makes
a good job of the opening movement of the Third sonata showing some exquisite
phrasing and close attention to detail. The soaring sostenuto second subject
is taken too slowly for my taste with Wunder languishing a little too much
in this very expressive piano writing. The scherzo has all the necessary turbo-charged
propulsion that one could wish for while Wunder maintains his exquisite crystalline
tone. The trio section is a little sluggish although there the highly expressive
underscoring of the modulations is notable. The largo slow movement is absolutely
glorious with Wunder relishing the changing kaleidoscope of harmonies, colours
and textures. His finale is accomplished and polished although perhaps a little
too polite to be among the great performances - compare Argerich’s fireworks
or Percy Grainger’s wonderful account.
Wunder was awarded a special prize at the Chopin competition for his Polonaise-Fantaisie,
and on the evidence of this disc I can see why. His performance brings out
the work’s wonderful poetic sensibility, and there is some exquisitely judged
rubato and flexible phrasing. Chopin’s F minor Ballade is another pinnacle
of the piano repertoire. Wunder brings an intensity of feeling to the work
while drawing out the contrapuntal textures and maintaining Chopin’s long
melodic lines. The coda could perhaps have been more incendiary although the
playing is well phrased and textured.
The low point is the last work on the disc. The Andante Spianato has a translucent
dreamy quality but lacks expressive detail in some of the more reflective
passages. The Grande Polonaise is polished but a little pedestrian when compared
with Krystian Zimmermann’s spirited account.
Mr Wunder is a fine pianist with a great future although he perhaps needs
to think carefully about repertoire which suits his particular gifts.
Robert Beattie
A fine pianist with a great future who needs to think carefully about repertoire which suits his particular gifts.