CHOPIN: Ballades Nos. 1-4 / Nocturnes (Cortot, 78 rpm Recordings, Vol. 5) (1929-1951)
As with previous discs, this fifth and final release in the Naxos series of Cortot’s 78 rpm era Chopin recordings includes versions of recordings which have not been reissued often, if at all. The 1929 set of Ballades, which emerge from Cortot’s hands with all the passion and emotion, poetry and tenderness that were the hallmark of his playing, has been chosen over the more familiar 1933 remake. The 1949 re-recording of the Nocturne Op. 9, No. 2 has not previously been available on CD outside of Japan. Cortot’s phrasing, colourful tonal palette and singing tone in the F major and C sharp minor Nocturnes are without equal, while the dramatic middle sections of these works explode in anguish or ecstasy.

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Fryderyk Chopin

Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Ballade No. 1 in G minor, Op. 23 08:48
Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op. 38

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Ballade No. 2 in F major, Op. 38 06:53
Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Ballade No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47 06:43
Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Ballade No. 4 in F minor, Op. 52 09:45
Fryderyk Chopin/Fryderyk Chopin

Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2 04:20
Nocturne No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9, No. 2 04:16
Fryderyk Chopin

Nocturne No. 4 in F major, Op. 15, No. 1

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Nocturne No. 4 in F major, Op. 15, No. 1 04:33
Nocturne No. 5 in F sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Nocturne No. 5 in F sharp major, Op. 15, No. 2 03:22
Nocturne No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Nocturne No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, No. 1 04:40
Nocturne No. 15 in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Nocturne No. 15 in F minor, Op. 55, No. 1 04:33
Nocturne No. 16 in E flat major, Op. 55, No. 2

Cortot, Alfred, piano


Nocturne No. 16 in E flat major, Op. 55, No. 2 04:35



Total Playing Time: 01:02:28