"Opal": Classical Gems is a captivating collection of Frédéric Chopin's most beloved and technically demanding piano pieces, showcasing his unparalleled mastery of the instrument. Released on October 11, 2025, under the UME - Global Clearing House label, this album is a testament to Chopin's enduring influence on classical music. Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 15 minutes, the album delves into a variety of genres within the classical piano repertoire, including études, waltzes, mazurkas, and more.
The album opens with Chopin's iconic 12 Études, Op. 25, including the enchanting "Butterfly Wings" (No. 9), and continues with a diverse selection of his works, such as the delicate "Nutcracker Suite" and the spirited "Divertimento in B flat." Chopin's compositions are interspersed with works by other classical greats, including Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake Suite" and Bach's "Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin," creating a rich tapestry of musical styles and eras.
Chopin's virtuosity is on full display in pieces like "Ballade No. 1 in G Minor" and "Variations on a Theme by Paganini," while his lyrical and expressive side shines through in works such as "Carnaval, Op. 9" and "Kinderszenen, Op. 15." The album also features some of Chopin's lesser-known but equally captivating pieces, like "Cantabile In B Flat" and "6 Morceaux, Op. 19," offering a comprehensive exploration of his musical genius.
"Opal": Classical Gems is a celebration of Frédéric Chopin's timeless contributions to classical music, offering both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers an opportunity to immerse themselves in the beauty and complexity of his compositions. This album is a must-listen for anyone seeking to explore the depths of Chopin's musical legacy.
12 Études, Op. 25: No. 9 in G-Flat Major "Butterfly Wings"Frédéric Chopin, Maurizio Pollini
Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a: Dance of the Sugar-Plum FairyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Leo Litwin, Boston Pops Orchestra, Arthur Fiedler
Divertimento in B flat, K.270: 4. PrestoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, London Wind Soloists, Jack Brymer
11 Bagatelles, Op. 119: No. 9 in A Minor. Vivace moderatoLudwig van Beethoven, Steven Osborne
Ballade No. 1 in G Minor, Op. 23 - Pt. 3Frédéric Chopin, Tamás Vásáry
Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin in E Major, BWV 1006: VI. GigueJohann Sebastian Bach, Nathan Milstein
Variations on a Theme by Haydn, Op. 56a: Theme: "Chorale St. Antoni"Johannes Brahms, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Eduard van Beinum
Cassation (Final-Musik) in G, K.63: 7. Finale (Allegro assai)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
3 Ecossaises, Op. 72 No. 3: No. 1 in D MajorFrédéric Chopin, Mikhail Pletnev
12 Contredanses, WoO 14: No. 2Ludwig van Beethoven, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1: Prelude No. 3 in C-Sharp Major, BWV 848/1Johann Sebastian Bach, Colin Tilney
Partita No. 2 in C minor, BWV 826: 5. RondeauxJohann Sebastian Bach, Claudio Arrau
16 Waltzes, Op. 39 - For Piano Duet: 10. in GJohannes Brahms, Anthony Paratore, Joseph Paratore
Partita No. 3 for Solo Violin in E Major, BWV 1006: V. BourréeJohann Sebastian Bach, Gidon Kremer
French Suite No. 3 in B Minor, BWV 814: 4. AnglaiseJohann Sebastian Bach, Thurston Dart
The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, TH.13 / Act 2: 13a. Farandole: ScènePyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, London Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
Partita No. 1 in B-Flat Major, BWV 825: VII. GigaJohann Sebastian Bach, Carl Seemann
French Suite No. 6 in E, BWV 817: 6. BourréeJohann Sebastian Bach, Vladimir Ashkenazy
Cantabile In B FlatFrédéric Chopin, Anatol Ugorski
Swan Lake Suite, Op. 20a: III. Danse des cygnes. Allegro moderatoPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Berliner Philharmoniker, Herbert von Karajan
Mazurka No. 9 en do majeur, Op. 7 No. 5Frédéric Chopin, Janina Fialkowska
Valse in la mineurOp. posth. (1847-49)Frédéric Chopin, Pietro De Maria
Swan Lake, Op. 20, TH 12, Act I: No. 5c, Pas de deux: ValsePyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Minnesota Orchestra, Antal Doráti
Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 / Book 1:: Variation XIII: Vivace e scherzandoJohannes Brahms, Paolo Restani
12 Études d'exécution transcendante S139/R2b: No. 1 "Preludio" en ut majeurFranz Liszt, Sheng Cai
5 Contredanses "Non più andrai", K. 609: No. 1 in C Major "Non più andrai"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Wiener Philharmoniker, Claudio Abbado
6 Consolations, S. 172: No. 1 in E Major. Andante con motoFranz Liszt, Jorge Bolet
12 German Dances, WoO 8: No. 1 in C MajorLudwig van Beethoven, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Les petits riens, Ballet, K. 299b: No. 10, AgitéWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33: CadenzaPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Mischa Maisky, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra
The Sleeping Beauty, Op. 66, Prologue: No. 3, Pas de six: Var. 2. CoulantePyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russian National Orchestra, Mikhail Pletnev
16 Waltzes, Op. 39: No. 15 in A-Flat MajorJohannes Brahms, Bracha Eden, Alexander Tamir
12 Contredanses, WoO 14: No. 1Ludwig van Beethoven, Bayerische Kammerphilharmonie, Karl Anton Rickenbacher
Children's Album, Op. 39, TH 141: 8. The Doll's FuneralPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Valentina Lisitsa
6 Morceaux, Op. 19: III. Feuillet d'album. Allegretto simplicePyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Pavel Kolesnikov
Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K.384 / Act 1: "Herr, geschwind auf die Seite" - MarschWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Uwe Peper, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner
Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 / Book 2:: Variation II: Poco animatoJohannes Brahms, Paolo Restani
Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 / Book 2:: Variation IIIJohannes Brahms, Paolo Restani
21 Hungarian Dances, WoO 1: No. 5 in G Minor. Allegro (Orch. Schmeling)Johannes Brahms, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Walter Weller
Variations On A Theme By Paganini, Op. 35 / Book 2:: Variation XII: Un poco AndanteJohannes Brahms, Paolo Restani
16 Waltzes, Op. 39 - For Piano Duet: 13. in CJohannes Brahms, Marco Schiavo, Sergio Marchegiani
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