Album: Murray Perahia, Murray Perahia Plays Chopin (Sony Classical)

Though recently more involved with series of Bach and Beethoven piano works, it was with Chopin that Murray Perahia first made his name, winning the 1972 Leeds Competition with the E minor Concerto which opens this five-disc set.

The recordings are drawn from all decades since that breakthrough, including a 1974 version of the Sonata No 2 which also dazzled the Competition judges. Perahia's grasp of the rhythm, harmony and texture underpinning Chopin's music is nonpareil, not least in the Waltzes and Mazurkas; while the balance of academic ingenuity and emotional impact in the two sets of Études is considered their definitive realisation.

DOWNLOAD THIS Grand Valse Brilliante in E-flat major; Mazurka No 4 in A minor; 12 Études Op 10; 12 Études Op 25