Maurizio Pollini (b.1942) burst onto the world's music scene by winning the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1960. Arthur Rubinstein, who led the jury, declared Pollini the winner of the competition, allegedly saying: 'that boy can play the piano better than any of us'. Soon afterwards, he made this recording for EMI, his first commercial recording.

• Hi-Q Records Supercuts
• 180 Gram Audiophile Vinyl
• Cut from the Original EMI Analog Master Tapes
• Mastered at Abbey Road Studios
• Features Original Album Artwork

"Cut at Abbey Road Studios from the original stereo analogue master tapes with the Neumann VMS82 lathe fed an analogue pre-cut signal from a specially adapted Studer A80 tape deck with additional 'advance' playback head, making the cut a totally analogue process. Pressed using the original EMI presses at The Vinyl Factory in Hayes, England"

"Pollini, an eighteen-year-old Italian, gives a spine-tingling performance of this magnificent music and if you have not in the past thought it magnificent, listen to this performance and be converted." GRAMOPHONE, November 1960

Maurizio Pollini burst onto the world's music scene by winning the International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw in 1960. Arthur Rubinstein, who led the jury, declared Pollini the winner of the competition, allegedly saying: "that boy can play the piano better than any of us." Soon afterwards, he made this peerless recording of Frederic Chopin's Concerto No. 1 in E Minor Op. 11 for EMI in April 1960, his first commercial recording.

In The Gramophone's original November 1960 review, R.F. remarked: "Orchestral accompaniment and balance are worthy of the solo playing. I have never heard the opening given with such fire. The orchestra stays on its toes throughout, and Kletzki makes a splendid job of following every variation of tempo. I do not ever expect to hear the concerto played better..."

Recorded 20-21 April 1960, Abbey Road Studio No.1, London. Recording Producer: Victor Olof. Balance Engineer: Douglas Larter.

Musicians:

Frederic Chopin, composer
Paul Kletzki, conductor
Maurizio Pollini, piano
Philharmonia Orchestra

Track Listing:

Side A
    CHOPIN: CONCERTO NO.1 IN E MINOR, OP.11
    1. 1st Movemen: Allegro maestoso risoluto

Side B
    CHOPIN: CONCERTO NO.1 IN E MINOR, OP.11 (contd)
    1. 2nd Movement: Larghetto
    2. 3rd Movement: Rondo: Vivace

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