Shura Cherkassky - The Art of the Encore

The nineteenth century saw the rise of the piano as both a concert and domestic instrument and at the same time the appearance of virtuoso pianist / composers such as Chopin and Liszt. Of all the pieces in this collection it is Chopin’s Grande Polonaise brillante that sums up everything about so much music, and especially piano music. The Polonaise actually has parts for orchestra but like those of Chopin’s two piano concertos these are dispensable, leaving a solo piece full of display and virtuosity. A perfect encore piece!

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