The Chopin Variations

Beautiful soft ambient interpretations of Chopin. Effortless and graceful.

I love Chopin in all his forms both old and new! This is a beautiful reinterpretation which pays great homage to the original while making the music slightly less "classical" for a modern audience. Truly beautiful. Chad Lawson is a creative genius!

I happened to see an interview with Mr. Lawson on Sunday Morning and was intrigued enough to check out this album. I’m a huge Chopin fan, and wasn’t disappointed. Absolutely wonderful. Will be my favorite classical album to enjoy for much time to come.

…what is that awful electronic snare drum like-sound in the background? Is it just the sound on my mac? It completely mars the beauty of the melody for me and I cannot focus on anything else! If it was remastered without that noise, I would LOVE this album! I’d love to give it 5 stars, but I can’t.

I love this gorgeous album, it's a perfect mix of tradition and modern. Chopin is a master and Chad showcases his work with nothing but the best of both worlds old and new.

I love every track on this album. When I listen to it it feels like I'm lying under a grand piano - I love hearing the sounds of the instrument as well as the sound of the notes. It's so intimate.

Chopin himself would've been captivated. Truly beautiful and unique arrangements. I love the tempo variations. Chad Lawson has done some thing that I wouldn't have believed possible. I am not normally a fan of anyone changing a work by Chopin, but these changed my mind.

Chad Lawson’s "The Chopin Variations" is a double-album that I’ve been anxiously awaiting. A big fan of Chad Lawson and his music since I first heard it several years ago, the pairing of his velvet piano touch with Chopin’s music sounded like a true match made in heaven. Not only is Chopin one of my favorite classical composers, the ten compositions are pieces that I’ve played many times, love dearly, and know intimately. That could be dangerous, but I have such faith in Lawson’s integrity as an artist and music innovator that I knew this would be a very different listening experience, leaving expectations of what the music should sound like in the other room. The music on the two discs is the same, but Disc 1 includes Lawson on piano, Judy Kang on violin and Rubin Kodheli on cello; Disc 2 is solo piano. What seems to be the biggest stumbling block for many listeners is the actual sound of the piano. A father with two very young children, Lawson often plays and records his piano very late into the night. Not wanting to disturb the sleep of his family, he places felt between the strings of his Steinway to quiet the sound and percussive effects. Because of the muted sound, the microphones need to be placed closer than usual to the hammers of the piano, causing them to also pick up the internal sounds of the piano being played - the soft whoosh of the pedal, occasional creaks and pops, and other sounds that most recording engineers work hard to eliminate. Over time, Lawson found that he loves this sound and recorded his 2013 release "The Space Between" with the piano strings muted, calling it “the most honest music I have been given.” Listening to the solo piano disc especially, I was struck with the thought that this was likely how Chopin would have arranged and performed this music had he lived in the 21st century. Very sickly most of his life, his performances were known to be very difficult to hear. The pianos of his time were also much more delicate than today’s instruments, so despite Lawson’s arrangements being somewhat different from the originals, it is likely that his performance is quite similar to how Chopin himself played them nearly two hundred years ago. With muted strings, there are some very intriguing effects that sometimes make the piano sound like an acoustic guitar or even a harp, while the movement of the dampers creates a sound not unlike breathing. On Disc 1, the violin and cello are both very minimal, adding tonal color and texture to the piano. One might think that these two orchestral instruments would make the music sound more classical, but I think they actually update the music quite beautifully in ways that are more ambient than melodic. The ten tracks are a combination of nocturnes, preludes, waltzes, and a mazurka, all given a beautifully tender treatment that makes the music suitable for relaxing background music as well as a wonderful new take on some of Chopin’s best-loved piano music. I wholeheartedly applaud Chad Lawson for his brave new vision and courage to see it through. Very highly recommended to those open to a new approach to the piano and Chopin’s music.

Chad Lawson does a fantastic job honoring the spirit of Chopin while reinterpreting it through his own lens. Fortunately this lens is clear, concise and thoughtful. If you looking for a traditional rendition of Chopin then get it somewhere else, but if you are looking for a sensitive recasting of the tension that embodies Chopin, then take a listen to this recording. I find it soothing and expanding my appreciation for Chopin. (and Chad)

Just listening to the excepts is painful. Pass.