Chopin: Journal Intime

Already established as one of today's most individual and thoughtful pianists, Alexandre Tharaud makes his debut on Virgin Classics with this collection of pieces by Chopin, "Journal intime" (Private diary). Each of the chosen pieces -- mazurkas, nocturnes, ballades, the famous Fantaisie-impromptu and a number of other, lesser-known works --has a special importance or association for Tharaud, who cites the pianism of Vlado Perlemuter and Sergey Rachmaninov as a particular influence in the music of Chopin. Many of these pieces have been in Tharaud's repertoire since his student days: "I let time work for me. It is extraordinary enriching to study a work when you are young and then revisit it in the course of your life. It becomes part of you." Tharaud, born in Paris in 1968, takes a discerning approach to repertoire, highlighting and often juxtaposing composers such as Bach, Rameau, Couperin, Chabier, Satie, Ravel, Poulenc and Thierry Pécou (b.1965). His catalogue of recordings for Harmonia Muni has contributed substantially to his reputation.