Alex Brachet Releases Live Recording of Chopin's Grande Polonaise from Marseille

JELENIA GORA, Poland - April 14, 2025 - PRLog -- French pianist Alex Brachet has unveiled a stunning new live recording of Frédéric Chopin's Andante Spianato and Grande Polonaise Brillante, Op. 22, performed in concert at the historic Théâtre La Criée in Marseille. This emotionally rich and technically masterful rendition brings fresh light to one of Chopin's most beloved works, blending lyrical sensitivity with fearless virtuosity.

Originally composed between 1830 and 1834, this two-part masterpiece reflects two distinct facets of Chopin's personality. The Andante Spianato, written for solo piano, is intimate and dreamlike — a floating reverie built on a gently rippling left hand and a singing right-hand melody. Brachet's interpretation invites the listener into this tranquil landscape with elegance and profound calm, as if time itself slows to allow the music to unfold.

Then, without pause, the Grande Polonaise Brillante bursts onto the scene: majestic, noble, and theatrical. Chopin composed the polonaise as a bravura piece designed to dazzle, and Brachet rises to the occasion with fiery precision and spirited expression. His command of rubato, his sparkling passagework, and his nuanced pedaling create a dramatic arc that feels both historically informed and deeply personal.

This performance is marked by Brachet's distinct poetic touch, rhythmic elegance, and a masterful sense of narrative. The Andante Spianato unfolds with lyrical intimacy, while the Polonaise Brillante dazzles with exuberant virtuosity. Brachet's pianism channels the nobility and freedom that make this work one of Chopin's most beloved compositions.

As with many live recordings, this one bears the audible presence of a somewhat restless audience—an occasional cough, a faint rustle. Yet these sounds do little to detract from the beauty of the performance. On the contrary, they add a layer of authenticity, reminding us of the living, breathing moment of concert music.

This release follows several other significant interpretations by Brachet, including Scriabin's Étude Op. 8 No. 12, Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, Rachmaninoff's Étude-Tableau Op. 39 No. 5, and Bach's Partita No. 2 in C minor—each revealing a different facet of his interpretive voice, grounded in expressive depth and technical brilliance.

🎧 Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-fr/track/51iiGmqCQ7fUFfc0CFiGdD?si=275303c2d6954419