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It is, frankly, good to report on a young pianist who concentrates on pianistic color and still respects the music’s structure. As an alternative method of Chopin interpretation alone, Schliessmann is worth hearing for every pianist and every student of Chopin’s music. Schliessmann regularly finds beauties in these scores others are lucky if they hint at. [In] the C sharp minor Preludehe indeed offers a performance of such exquisite cantabile and such enshrouded pain coupled with luminous textures that one forgets all others while listening. I doubt there is a more beautiful Fourth Ballade on record, nor a more beautifully recorded one. A remarkable set, in many ways.

” —Colin Clarke

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Burkard Schliessmann gives us impassioned readings, beautifully, poetically realized performances with maximum affective impact yet full command of the notes … in short he gives us near ideal readings, on the warm side of the possibilities, the interpretive side rather than the supercharged virtuoso-centered side. . It is a beautiful set, really rather remarkable. Schliessmann brings to the music a special understanding. Highly recommended.

” —Grego Edwards

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Displays much of the sensitivity of earlier Chopin specialists such as Ashkenazy, captured here in a surround sound recording that registers every nuance of the piano. German pianist Burkard Schliessmann’s triple SACD set with state of the art sound and luxury packaging chronicles the works of Chopin in order, showing the composer’s development and is thus informative for scholars as well as being an impressive recital.

” —Barry Forshaw

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I rank this Chopin among the best available. With both the technique and intellect to do just about any­thing he wants, Schliessmann’s strength is in the lyrical, legato melodies that make Chopin’s music such a cornerstone of the piano reper­toire. I would go out of my way to hear Schliessmann play any group of these in concert. His approach to all of the music is worthy of study and repays careful lis­tening. The piano sound is spectacular and the booklet notes informative and comprehensive.

” —James Harrington

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Burkard Schliessmann’s fascinating approach sees the homage and proximity to Bach as constructive in, for example, the Preludes. Schliessmann prefers a clear structure and line, representing controlled emotions. The result is not only convincing, but overwhelming in many aspects. This is Chopin to re-discover and re-listen to. One cannot describe how Schliessmann plays all this, one needs to listen to it. The 5-channel recording will be appreciated by the audiophile.

” —Dr. Ingobert Waltenberger

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Schliessman’s performance of the Scherzo blazes with a fire so bright one can’t help but wonder that if this is what he opens with, what does he do for an encore? Burkard Schliessmann has much artistry and poetry to communicate … and he makes listening to Chopin in large doses an unusually enjoyable experience for me. The rest of pieces on these three discs are all performed by Burkard with equally impressive technical address, attention to expressive detail, and gorgeous tone drawn from his magnificent Steinway grand. Complementing this are the stunning SACD recordings, which capture the subtlest gradations in dynamics with amazing clarity and that take the thunderous climaxes in easeful stride. If Burkard Schliessmann can instill in me, admittedly not a great admirer of Chopin, a higher appreciation of his music than I have heretofore experienced, imagine the effect Burkard will have on those whose love of Chopin is already vouchsafed.

” —Jerry Dubins

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A pianist with a big, luxuriant tone, exceptional technique, and considerable sensitivity and intelligence. All of these virtues are deployed on Chronological Chopin. This is an album with the highest aspirations for expressing the composer’s muse, and in general those aspirations are met. The sound engineering on the CD layer is warm and full. Schliessmann’s liner notes are extensive and enlightening. Schliessmann will persuade you of the greatness of Chopin to a degree matched by few other pianists.

” —Dave Saemann

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These are highly distinctive readings, and the pianist is an exciting performer; his distinctive ideas are carried through at the keyboard with almost Golden Age boldness … recorded in rich, lifelike sound that has no flaws. He is also gifted with an instinctive sense of Romantic phrasing, which allows him to be spontaneously expressive without veering into idiosyncrasy… this set will bring considerable satisfaction, both musical and emotional.

” —Huntley Dent

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From the interpreter, Chopin requires the balance and clarity that Burkard Schliessmann brings to these recordings. As we Americans say, You either have it, or you don’t. Burkard certainly has it.

” —Phil Muse

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Schliessmann is keen to favour a Classical line, aided by his majestic Steinway, with its full, round tone, making much use of marcato and with a tempo selection that enables him to highlight the issue of rubato. Schliessmann set out to put together a chronological survey of some of the Polish composer’s greatest in order … to demonstrate not only the revolutionary nature of Chopin’s music, but also the way in which his compositional technique evolved over time. Generally speaking, he has achieved both this and the other, undoubtedly more ambitious, goal that he set himself – that of considering the Chopin sound in isolation from the cliché long associated with it, namely that his pianism, his status as a composer and his artistry must be inextricably linked to his permanent ill health and instinctive reclusiveness.

” —Andrea Bedetti

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It’s pleasing to see the oft omitted, but fascinating Op. 45 included. The conscious choice Schliessman takes, to tone down the romanticism of the performance and highlight the Classical genre Chopin was so influenced by, makes for an interesting listen. For many Chopin is a Romantic composer, yet suddenly the influence of Schubert and Beethoven shine clearly through. Most of all you can hear the legacy of Bach both in the forms and in the constant fugue-style movement of much of the music. No one can deny both the beauty and the well-placed interpretation of the performance, and as a clever biography in music of a great composer there’s little to fault.

” —Mary Keene

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Schliessman’s performance is so good that we’ve been easily able to listen to one or two of the CDs without tiring, thanks to Schliessmann’s delicate changes in mood and tempo. Excellent, played and recorded to the highest standards.

” —Jeremy Condliffe

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This programme shows intelligent planning. Burkard Schliessmann’s exhaustive booklet note explains his approach … the absence of featherweight or overwhelming extremes. Much thought must have gone into this set, recorded over six years, and the sound-quality is magnificent.

” —Michael Round

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Burkard Schliessmann interprets the various pieces with a lovely and singing tone, and his phrasing is imaginative and deeply probing. Schliessmann’s music making has much to admire, and his flawless pianistic sheen has an unfailing poise and lucidity that puts him at the forefront of today’s leading pianists. An innovative Chopin adventure in luscious sound and presentation which I recommend unreservedly.

” —Gerald Fenech

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Schliessmann emphasises the intimate essence of the music but without sentimentality. His playing is spirited and brilliant. Every sound is at the right depth, is illuminated in its context, never losing sight of the overall piece. But what most impressed is the almost Bachian clarity with which Schliessmann reveals the structures and lines of Chopin’s composition.

” —Michael Dellith