111 Piano Hits

This 5-CD box set, released on Katsaris’s own label **Piano 21**, is a monumental, eccentric, and utterly delightful collection. While the title **"111 Piano Hits"** might sound like a generic budget compilation you’d find at a gas station, do not be fooled. In the hands of **Cyprien Katsaris**, a pianist renowned for his transcendental technique and orchestral approach to the keyboard, this collection becomes a masterclass in the art of the "encore." Here is a review of what makes this collection unique. ### 1. The Concept: An Encyclopedia of Miniatures Unlike standard "Greatest Hits" albums that feature single movements of sonatas played by various pianists, this is a unified artistic vision. Katsaris takes the listener on a chronological and geographical tour of the piano repertoire. * **The Scope:** It ranges from J.S. Bach and Handel through the titans (Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Liszt) to modern film scores and rarities. * **The Pace:** Because there are 111 tracks, most are short—miniatures, waltzes, preludes, and transcriptions. It plays like the ultimate high-end playlist. ### 2. The "Katsaris Touch": Transcriptions and Arrangements Cyprien Katsaris is arguably the world's greatest living champion of piano transcriptions (playing orchestral music on the piano). This set shines brightest when he steps away from the standard sheet music. * **Orchestral Colors:** He includes his own arrangements or rare transcriptions of pieces like Bach’s *Badinerie*, fragments of Mozart symphonies, or opera arias. * **Inner Voices:** Katsaris is famous for bringing out "hidden" melodies in the middle of the texture. Even in warhorses like Chopin’s *Nocturnes* or Beethoven’s *Für Elise*, you will likely hear notes you never noticed before because he voices them like a conductor leading an orchestra. ### 3. The Repertoire: Hits and Curiosities The genius of this set is the juxtaposition of the famous with the obscure. * **The Hits:** You get *Clair de Lune*, *Rondo Alla Turca*, *Liebestraum*, and the *Minute Waltz*. They are played with Katsaris's signature clarity and brisk tempi—he refuses to sentimentalize them. * **The Curiosities:** He includes pieces by composers often neglected by serious virtuosos, such as **Gottschalk**, **Lecuona**, and **Scott Joplin**. He treats them with the same seriousness and dignity as he does Bach. * **Film & Pop:** The inclusion of film themes (like *Gone with the Wind*) and even arrangements of traditional songs gives the album a "salon" feel, reminiscent of 19th-century virtuosos who would play anything to entertain an audience. ### 4. The Performance Style This collection is not for purists who want a "safe" or "academic" interpretation. * **Virtuosity:** Katsaris has a technique that is often described as effortless. His scales are pearl-like, and his speed can be terrifying. * **Spontaneity:** The playing feels live and improvisational. There are moments of extreme rubato (changing speed) and sudden dynamic shifts. It is exciting, distinctive, and full of personality. ### 5. The Verdict **"111 Piano Hits"** is arguably the best "entry-level" piano box set on the market because it is played by a top-tier virtuoso rather than a generic studio musician. * **For the Connoisseur:** It is a treasure trove of rare arrangements and a study in Katsaris's unique polyphonic voicing. * **For the Casual Listener:** It is a never-ending fountain of beautiful melodies that avoids the boredom of long, heavy sonatas. **Rating:** ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ **Best for:** Discovering how much color a single piano can produce, and realizing that "popular" classical music can still sound fresh and surprising.