- Mikhail Pletnev "Chopin & Scriabin : Preludes" !
- 180 gram 45 RPM gatefold double LP !
- Sensational ! Pletnev releases his first studio album with Deutsche Grammophon since 2005 !
- First purely analog DG new production since the 1980s !

Mikhail Pletnev "Chopin & Scriabin : Préludes"

An extraordinary encounter between two visionary composers, a legendary pianist, and the timeless beauty of pure analogue sound.

With Chopin & Scriabin : Préludes, the remarkable Russian pianist, conductor, and composer Mikhail Pletnev returns to Deutsche Grammophon with an exceptional recording devoted to two of the most fascinating masterpieces of the solo piano repertoire.

Bringing together Frédéric Chopin's 24 Préludes, Op. 28, and Alexander Scriabin's 24 Préludes, Op. 11, this magnificent album offers an unforgettable journey through 48 miniature masterpieces, each revealing its own distinctive atmosphere, emotion, and musical imagination.

A breathtaking demonstration of pianistic artistry, poetic sensitivity, and extraordinary musical refinement.

Two Composers, Forty-Eight Musical Masterpieces

Chopin's celebrated cycle of 24 Préludes, composed between 1835 and 1839, represents one of the supreme achievements of Romantic piano literature.

Inspired by the structural imagination of Johann Sebastian Bach, Chopin explores all 24 major and minor keys, creating an extraordinary succession of contrasting musical worlds.

From moments of profound melancholy and delicate introspection to passages of passionate intensity and dazzling virtuosity, these compositions reveal the full expressive range of Chopin's genius.

Among them, the hauntingly beautiful Prelude N° 4 in E minor, the dramatic Prelude N° 15 in D-flat major, famously known as the Raindrop Prelude, and the turbulent Prelude N° 24 in D minor remain some of the most emotionally powerful works ever written for piano.

Alexander Scriabin's 24 Préludes, Op. 11, composed during his early creative years, form a fascinating counterpart to Chopin's masterpiece.

Deeply influenced by the Polish composer's poetic language, Scriabin nevertheless develops his own distinctive musical personality, combining exquisite harmonic colors, restless passion, delicate lyricism, and an increasingly adventurous imagination.

Mikhail Pletnev – The Art of Musical Expression

Few pianists possess the extraordinary combination of technical mastery, musical intelligence, and interpretative individuality that defines Mikhail Pletnev.

Renowned for his deeply personal approach to the classical repertoire, Pletnev brings exceptional clarity, subtlety, and emotional intensity to every phrase.

His interpretations avoid unnecessary exaggeration, allowing the music to unfold with remarkable naturalness and expressive freedom.

Every nuance, every silence, and every delicate change of color becomes an essential part of the musical narrative.

In Chopin, Pletnev reveals an extraordinary balance between poetic intimacy and dramatic power.

In Scriabin, he explores a fascinating universe of shifting harmonies, mysterious atmospheres, and passionate musical expression.

The result is a deeply moving performance in which virtuosity serves the music rather than overshadowing it.

A Historic Return to Pure Analogue Recording

Beyond its exceptional musical qualities, Chopin & Scriabin: Préludes represents a remarkable milestone in the history of Deutsche Grammophon.

This recording marks the label's first new fully analogue (AAA) production since the 1980s.

Recorded in November 2024 at the prestigious Emil Berliner Studios in Berlin, the entire performance was captured during a single extraordinary four-and-a-half-hour recording session.

For this special project, Pletnev performed on his cherished Shigeru Kawai concert grand piano, an instrument renowned for its exceptional tonal richness, transparency, and expressive possibilities.

The recording engineers employed specially designed Sennheiser microphones connected directly to a legendary Studer C37 tube tape recorder.

Instead of relying on digital processing, the analogue master tapes were edited using traditional physical tape-cutting and splicing techniques, preserving the authenticity and musical integrity of the original performances.

This meticulous recording philosophy captures the natural resonance of the piano, the subtle decay of individual notes, and the extraordinary dynamic contrasts of Pletnev's playing.

An exceptional analogue recording that combines the warmth of magnetic tape with the remarkable transparency and emotional immediacy of a live musical performance.

An Outstanding Audiophile Double-Vinyl Edition

Presented by Deutsche Grammophon as a luxurious double-vinyl edition, Chopin & Scriabin : Préludes has been designed for discerning music lovers and audiophile collectors.

Pressed on two 180 gram vinyl records at 45 RPM and presented in an elegant gatefold sleeve, this edition offers an exceptional opportunity to experience the full beauty of Pletnev's interpretations.

The combination of pure analogue recording techniques, premium vinyl presentation, and meticulous sound engineering allows listeners to appreciate the remarkable richness, intimacy, and natural musical character of this extraordinary performance.

From the softest pianissimo to the most powerful dramatic passages, every musical detail contributes to an immersive and emotionally captivating listening experience.

Forty-eight extraordinary preludes, two visionary composers, and one of the greatest pianists of our time.

A magnificent celebration of Romantic piano music and a landmark achievement in modern analogue recording. An essential addition to any serious classical music and audiophile vinyl collection.