Zlata Chochieva

On a whim, I bought a new CD of Zlata Chochieva playing all the Chopin études. A whim, since I'd never heard of Ms Chochieva, a Russian, and I am not really a Chopin fan. When I want to listen to the études, I normally reach for Alfred Cortot, recorded some 80 years ago, but still going strong.

I started listening to Zlata, then ended up listening to all 64 minutes non-stop. I decided to compare Zlata with my Naxos copy of the Cortot … and ended up listening to the whole of Op 10 played by him, rather than just a sample. Then back to Zlata Chochieva and, yes, this is the real thing: a great new recording of the Chopin études. Cortot is still Cortot, of course, with exquisite rubato and supreme grace and elegance but, after 80 years, his recording (as transferred here, and via my speakers) is bass heavy, which makes it sound as if he has a giant left hand and a flimsy right hand. Zlata has no such recording problems, and the balance of bass and treble — very important in many of the études — is a joy to hear. Some of the playing here is as light as a soufflé; the “study” aspect of the études is never downplayed, and the studies are deliciously musical in Ms Chochieva's hands.

The excellent CD (Piano Classics) comes plastered with posed photos of Zlata, as if we are buying flesh rather than a pianist playing Chopin's music. And nary a picture of Chopin, of course.