Maurizio Pollini - Chopin: Etudes Op. 10 & 25 (1960) [2025 SACD]

A few months after winning the 1960 International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw, Maurizio Pollini signed an exclusive contract with EMI and recorded two albums dedicated to the Polish composer. While the first, featuring the Piano Concerto No. 1, was warmly received upon release, the second, comprising the Études faced an uncertain fate. Pollini withdrew his approval during post-production, offering no explanation. For decades, this recording seemed destined to remain unheard. However, in 2011, it was finally approved by Pollini and released by Testament in a newly edited version under license from EMI. This new SACD edition, the first to be remastered in high resolution from the original tapes, not only highlights Pollini’s technical brilliance but also reveals the touching sensitivity of the 18-year-old pianist.

Tracks:

12 Études, Op. 10
01. No. 1 in C Major (1:57)
02. No. 2 in A Minor "Chromatique" (1:27)
03. No. 3 in E Major "Tristesse" (4:14)
04. No. 4 in C-Sharp Minor (2:06)
05. No. 5 in G-Flat Major "Black Keys" (1:40)
06. No. 6 in E-Flat Minor (4:14)
07. No. 7 in C Major (1:34)
08. No. 8 in F Major (2:21)
09. No. 9 in F Minor (2:15)
10. No. 10 in A-Flat Major (2:07)
11. No. 11 in E-Flat Major "Arpeggio" (2:16)
12. No. 12 in C Minor "Revolutionary" (2:40)

12 Études, Op. 25
13. No. 1 in A-Flat Major "Aeolian Harp" (2:26)
14. No. 2 in F Minor (1:30)
15. No. 3 in F Major (1:54)
16. No. 4 in A Minor (1:47)
17. No. 5 in E Minor (3:03)
18. No. 6 in G-Sharp Minor (2:03)
19. No. 7 in C-Sharp Minor (5:35)
20. No. 8 in D-Flat Major (1:10)
21. No. 9 in G-Flat Major "Butterfly" (1:04)
22. No. 10 in B Minor (4:18)
23. No. 11 in A Minor "Winter Wind" (3:38)
24. No. 12 in C Minor (2:27)

Personnel:

Maurizio Pollini, piano