Chopin. Polonaises, Nos. 1-6. Mal-cuzynski (piano), Columbia 33 Mcx 1690.

Apart from one other recording (by Stefan Askenase), this appears to be the only six-Polonaises set that has come out in recent years; Rubinstein's disc has been reissued once, first appeared in 1953. This is a wholly satisfactory account of these works, played by Malcuzyn-ski in the traditional grand manner. He has managed to capture the intense emotivity inherent in the pieces; from the magnificent pages of the darkly sombre C-sharp Minor to the tritely exciting A major. His dynamics are keen and extended; lesser pianists have been accused of disflavouring the often-played Chopin, not so Malcuzynski: the playing seldom becomes cloudy—even in the most ardent of passages—the attitude never lapses. He has successfully combined a marvellous technical efficiency with accuracy, beauty and artistry of tone: the result being the best played album of Chopin polonaises (Including Rubinstein's by a fraction), to yet appear. Two points—some badly dropped notes in the A-flat Major, and a poor idea of pianissimo in certain passages.

—M.J.W.