Frédéric CHOPIN (1810-1849)
Three nocturnes, Op. 9 [16:07]
Nocturne No. 4, Op. 15 No. 1 [4:36]
Barcarolle in F sharp, Op. 60 [9:09]
Two nocturnes, Op. posth. [7:25]
Nocturne No. 13 in C minor, Op. 48 No. 1 [6:25]
Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 [11:31]
Impromptu No. 1 in A flat, Op. 29 [3:46]
Fantaisie-Impromptu in C sharp minor, Op. 66 [5:07]
Polonaise in A flat Heroique, Op. 53 [6:50]
Valse in A flat L’adieu Op. 69 No. 1 [3:41]
Dai Asai (piano)
rec. dates unknown, Studio Halle, Germany
EUROARTS EA3012 [74:32]
Dai Asai is a promising young Chopin interpreter,
and he brings a sensibility attuned to the composer: poetic, sensitive
in tone, and free of the dryness which plagues many young conservatory
graduates. I this recital sells his talents short, it is because of
the programming. Starting off with seven nocturnes and the barcarolle
creates a crippling lack of dramatic contrast; ending with the faster,
more volatile works (fourth ballade) is too little, too late. With the
first two nocturnes, my initial impression was favorable, but then the
album continued with more of the same. Even the powerful Ballade seems
oddly small in scale, as if it has been miniaturized. There is little
dynamic range, little contrast, little contrast.
Maybe that’s partly because of the very small acoustic, “studio”
in the most constricted sense. The “Heroic” polonaise gives
me a strong sense that Dai must be a more inspiring performer on the
live stage in the concert hall. At any rate, I hope he gets the chance
to prove it. His best playing here, in the nocturnes and the final waltz,
reveals a sensitive interpreter; the lesser stuff shows a lack of dramatic
inspiration. That said, Dai Asai has overcome the first hurdle, of not
treating this music like a series of hurdles or a sprint to the finish.
I hope with maturity he can become a Chopin interpreter of real stature.
The EuroArts promo material talks about the recorded sound more than
it talks about Chopin. The Steinway is realistically presented, a little
bright for my taste but that can be endemic to the instrument. Unfortunate
that they put it in such a small sonic canvas.
Brian Reinhart
