Naxos: 8111118

Great Pianists - Moiseiwitsch 12

Chopin Recordings Volume 2 (1938-1952)

This second volume of Moiseiwitsch’s Chopin recordings focuses on the complete Préludes, Op. 28, which the great pianist had attempted to record, unsuccessfully, with the acoustic process, and the Four Ballades. The recording of the complete Préludes is one of the most satisfactory on disc, as Moiseiwitsch captures perfectly the mood of each of these miniature masterpieces. The slower preludes in particular show Moiseiwitsch’s understanding of musical phrasing linked to harmonic progressions. The recording of the Ballade No. 4, his only 78rpm recording of the work, derives from a test pressing. All tracks were recorded in Studio 3, Abbey Road, London