Chopin: 24 Preludes, Op. 28 & Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 Julien Brocal

• Frederic Chopin (1810 - 1849):
• 1I. Agitato in C Major00:41
• 2II. Lento in A Minor02:21
• 3III. Vivace, G Major01:01
• 4IV. Largo in E Minor01:59
• 5V. Allegro molto in D Major00:33
• 6VI. Lento assai in B Minor02:11
• 7VII. Andantino in A Major00:40
• 8VIII. Molto agitato in F-Sharp Minor01:47
• 9IX. Largo in E Major01:25
• 10X. Allegro molto in C-Sharp Minor00:29
• 11XI. Vivace in B Major00:37
• 12XII. Presto in G Sharp-Minor01:11
• 13XIII. Lento in F-Sharp Major02:50
• 14XIV. Allegro in E-Flat Minor00:26
• 15XV. Sostenuto in D-Flat Major05:47
• 16XVI. Presto con fuoco in B-Flat Minor01:06
• 17XVII. Allegretto in A-Flat Minor03:13
• 18XVIII. Molto allegro in F Minor00:50
• 19XIX. Vivace in E-Flat Major01:21
• 20XX. Largo in C Minor01:44
• 21XXI. Cantabile in B-Flat Major02:08
• 22XXII. Molto agitato in G Minor00:44
• 23XXIII. Moderato in F Major01:06
• 24XXIV. Allegro appassionato in D Minor02:44
• Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-Flat Minor, Op. 35:
• 25I. Grave. Doppio movimento07:35
• 26II. Scherzo07:01
• 27III. Marche funèbre09:31
• 28IV. Finale. Presto01:29
• Total Runtime01:04:30

Info for Chopin: 24 Preludes, Op. 28 & Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35

Julien Brocal is a protégé of Maria Joao Pires and has been mentored by the great Portuguese pianist for several years. They often perform together around the world.

„A sense of poetry, of alternate spontaneity and restraint, a profound understanding of structures and a true awareness of sound...these are some of the rare qualities he demonstrates.“ (Maria Joao Pires)

For his debut recording the young French pianist has chosen the 24 preludes and 2nd Piano Sonata of Frederic Chopin. Composed during the years 1838-39, these works date from the beginning of the composers relationship with the writer George Sand. The Preludes in all the major and minor keys is of course a reflection on Bach’s Well-Tempered Clavier, a work Chopin admired and the only score he took to Majorca for the infamous sojourn with Sand. Each Prelude (some lasting no longer than 30 seconds) is a masterpiece of invention, a new world is conjured in every one of them. An infinite lyricism hovers throughout, and everything that needs to be said is said in just a few concise bars.

The 2nd sonata is a turbulent romantic masterwork with high emotions running riot throughout. The famous Funeral March forms the slow movement. This is music from which no one walks away unscathed!

Julien Brocal, piano

Julien Brocal
Born in 1987 in Arles, France, Julien began learning the piano at the age of 5. He was taught by Erik Berchot and Rena Shereshevskaya at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot and in 2013 began working with Maria João Pires at the Cité de la Musique in Paris. She subsequently invited him to continue his studies at the Queen Elisabeth Musical Chapel in Belgium and to be one of the founding members of the Partitura Project.

Maria and Julien have performed together all over the world, with performances at the Chopin Festival (Warsaw), Auditorium Teatro dell'Opera di Firenze (Florence), Sheldonian Theatre (Oxford), Severance Hall (Cleveland) and Tippet Rise Art Centre (Montana). In addition, they have also given many workshops together and launched educational and social programs for children (including Equinox). Julien is now resident in Belgais, at the Center for Arts created by Maria, and his first solo recording (of works by Chopin) will be released in January 2017 by Rubicon Classics.

Julien trained under Erik Berchot at the Conservatoire National de Région de Marseille and under Rena Shereshevskaya at the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris Alfred Cortot, where he was unanimously awarded the prestigious performer diploma. Throughout his training Julien has benefited from the support of the Zaleski Foundation, Association Assophie and the Safran Foundation. He has been invited to appear on France Musique by Gaëlle le Gallic and to take part in several festivals in France. From his early childhood he has performed on stage in France and abroad. Julien was spotted in January 2013 by Maria-João Pires during an academy session at the Cité de la musique in Paris, and was subsequently invited to perfect his skills at the Queen Elisabeth Music Chapel in Belgium.

Booklet for Chopin: 24 Preludes, Op. 28 & Piano Sonata No. 2, Op. 35