Pianist Lara Melda and the acclaimed Carducci Quartet present A Portrait of Chopin, a striking reimagining of Chopin's First and Second Piano Concerti, arranged for piano and string quartet. The project offers an intimate perspective on these pianistic masterpieces, illuminating their chamber-like qualities and evoking the spirit of 19th-century salons where Chopin himself might have performed. Lara Melda, winner of the BBC Young Musician of the Year in 2010, is celebrated for her expressive touch and refined interpretations, earning acclaim on major stages worldwide. The Carducci Quartet, winners of the Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, have performed extensively for almost three decades, including at Carnegie Hall, the Concertgebouw, and Wigmore Hall. For this recording Lara Melda performs on an exceptional Shigeru Kawai piano, whose remarkable tonal clarity and responsiveness infuse these works with fresh vibrancy. Together, these performances celebrate the enduring versatility of Chopin's genius, bridging the grandeur of the concert hall with the intimacy of chamber music.
