The Waltzes are perhaps Chopin's lighter works, even though they remain distant from the world of dance-music written for the ball room. Just as his mazurkas, Chopin’s waltzes were not conceived for dancing. Chopin’s first waltz dates to 1824, when he was fourteen; the last he wrote was the last piece for solo piano he published, in 1847.
Although Chopin seems to have written many waltzes, in reality only eight were published during his lifetime (Opp. 18, 34, 42, 64); several others were lost, and some are still - sadly - in private hands.
In this album the listener will find the alternative versions of the Waltzes Op. 69 and Op. 70 No. 2. The piece marked “Sostenuto,� in 3/4, can also be considered a waltz, despite its less complex development, and was included.
Italian pianist Vittorio Forte is a well-known name in France, where he has an active performance activity. His pianism is characterized by elegance, excellent control, and a marked virtuosic character.
The recording, fully natural, took place using two pairs of Brüel & Kjær microphones.

Reviews

Pédale légère, doigts discrètement invincibles, allure décidée mais jamais trop rapide, merveilleux sens théâtral nuancé avec un tact et un amour de l'instrument auquel il m'est impossible de résister. ‐Alain Lompech ***** (01/06/2019) 

Cette élégance sans fard, cette très grande simplicité qui rubatise a minima pour parfois suspendre mieux le temps, le style exemplaire des phrasés, la franchise des couleurs. [...] ‐DR (01/10/2018) 

Vittorio Forte uses his pianistic skills to differentiate Chopin’s Waltzes, thus reflecting the various moods of the music. A very personal and overall superb recording! ‐Remy Franck 6/6 (15/10/2018) 

Entre pureté et émotion, le langage proposé ici jouit d’une certaine liberté qui se conjugue avec justesse au discours de Chopin. Tout est dosé, réfléchi et toujours à propos. Du très beau piano, à nouveau, de la poésie en musique. ‐Ayrton Desimpelaere 10/10 (24/10/2018) 

De la poésie, les doigts de Vittorio Forte n’en manquent pas. Elle sert un discours musical élégant, fascinant de spontanéité, d’immédiateté, voire d’urgence, comme si ces Valses « éphémères » portaient en elles une fragilité irrémédiable. ‐Jean-Jacques Millo (05/10/2018)