This release presents works of Chopin written in his Vienna period, and here they are played on exactly such an instrument, as is still preserved in the Italian Palazzo Contucci in Montepulciano. The young Chopin, a child prodigy if ever there was one, soon found his surroundings in his native Warsaw too narrow, and visited the cultural capital Vienna during the years 1829-1831. Here he met the local piano manufacturer Conrad Graf and was seduced by his instruments, with their light action and delicate, pliant sound. His triumphal concerts in Vienna were played on Graf's pianos, and the young Fryderick was presented one as a gift by Graf himself.
1 Polonaise for Piano in a Flat Major, KK Iva/2, CT. 162 (B. 5)
2 Rondo for Piano in C minor, Op. 1, CT. 192
3 Mazurka for Piano in G Major, KK Ii/2, CT. 100 (B. 16/1)
4 Mazurka for Piano in B Flat Major, KK Iia/2, CT. 101 (B. 16/2)
5 Polonaise for Piano in B Flat minor, KK Iva/5, CT. 164 (B. 13)
6 Rondo À la Mazur for Piano in F Major, Op. 5. CT. 193
7 Polonaises (3) for Piano, Op. 71, CT. 157-159: No. 1 in D minor
8 Polonaises (3) for Piano, Op. 71, CT. 157-159: No. 2 in F minor
9 Polonaises (3) for Piano, Op. 71, CT. 157-159: No. 3 in B Flat Major
10 Polonaise for Piano in G Flat Major, KK Iv/A8, CT. 165 (B. 36)
11 Variations for Piano in a Major ('Souvenir de Paganini'), KK Iva/10, CT. 229 (B. 37) (Spurious)
12 Variation on the March from Bellini's I Puritani, for Piano in E Major (No. 6 of Collaborative Work 'Hexaméron'), KK Iib/2, CT. 230
This release presents works of Chopin written in his Vienna period, and here they are played on exactly such an instrument, as is still preserved in the Italian Palazzo Contucci in Montepulciano. The young Chopin, a child prodigy if ever there was one, soon found his surroundings in his native Warsaw too narrow, and visited the cultural capital Vienna during the years 1829-1831. Here he met the local piano manufacturer Conrad Graf and was seduced by his instruments, with their light action and delicate, pliant sound. His triumphal concerts in Vienna were played on Graf's pianos, and the young Fryderick was presented one as a gift by Graf himself.
