Valentina Lisitsa is a young pianist from Ukraine who emigrated to the USA about 10 years ago with her husband, who she met while studying at the Kiev Music Conservatory. The first time I heard her playing, I was struck by her awesome and dazzling technique. I had never heard faster runs, arpeggios, and octaves, with precision that seemed almost supernatural. However, the technique at times subsumed the music. One could only hope that the pianist would eventually mature from a dazzling "virtuoso" into the true artist that she could obviously become.

Well, that maturation and transformation appears to have occurred. Valentina's recording of the Chopin Etudes is fabulous. Whenever I hear a rendition of the Etudes, I automatically compare it to the previous "gold standard," which I consider to be Maurizio Pollini's award-winning CD from 1972. Valentina's playing matches Pollini in technique, as one would have expected. But there is also a depth of musicality and passion which makes these Etudes very special indeed. But what is really amazing is that this recording appears to have been made without a break or cut. She plays the entire set of Etudes straight through, one after the other, without any editing or retakes. Each successive Etude just flows off her fingers with ease, with power and finesse, and without the slightest blur or over-pedaling. Unedited recordings are a trademark of Valentina's, but doing it with the complete Chopin Etudes seems that much more startling. The camera angles are very good, allowing the viewer to see the pianist's hands and fingers flying over the keyboard up close. But the real pleasure of this recording is the way Valentina brings each Etude to life, each a little vignette unto itself, but somehow inexorably connected to the next, and to the entire set. Ms. Lisitsa is also a very beautiful woman, which enhances the experience of seeing the performance on DVD.

In summary, I strongly recommend this DVD to anyone who wants to have a special experience, to hear and see the Chopin Etudes played by a wonderful and dazzling pianist and musician, and, of course, to anyone who has ever tried to play these technically and musically challenging works. You will love it.