The Salzburg Recital

An outstanding live recording from the Salzburg Festival 2008 of central repertoire: W.A. Mozart, F. Chopin & 6 encores. At last - after 20 years - the maestro has agreed to allow his recordings to be released on CD. Regarded as one of the world’s leading pianists, and adored by his public in sold-out concerts, Grigory Sokolov is the real thing – an artist dedicated to his art, and nothing else. This recital, given in 2008 at the Salzburg Festival, amply demonstrates the distinctive nature of Sokolov’s artistry, featuring repertoire from Rameau onwards. The programme begins with two particularly beautiful Mozart sonatas in F major – K280 with its dark-hued central siciliano movement, and the brilliant and tender K332 – both played with Sokolov’s habitual care, intensity and wealth of characterisation. The second half consists of Chopin’s 24 Preludes Op.28, traversing an extraordinary spectrum of colour and concept even within those pieces that last less than a minute.