¤ Ever since winning first prize at the International Chopin Competition in Warsaw in 1960 Maurizio Pollini has been considered as one of the world’s finest Chopin interpreters

¤ Along with Chopin’s two piano concertos, Pollini has recorded many other Chopin's compositions exclusively for DG. These include: Complete Etudes and Préludes, Scherzi, Polonaises, Sonatas No. 1 & 2. The most recent Chopin disc, released in 1999, included the four ballads, the Fantasia op. 49 and the Prélude in C sharp minor op. 45

¤ At present Pollini has recorded all Nocturnes by Frédéric Chopin which were published during the composer's lifetime. The Nocturnes demonstrate a great diversity and difficulty of Chopin’s art, and this recording highlights many a refinement of Pollini’s playing.

¤ Pollini described his ability to play Chopin with more freedom than before with the following: “After I won the First Prize of the Chopin Composition in Warsaw, Chopin became an important part of my life.” This recording inextricably marks a milestone in the history of Chopin’s Nocturnes.

"… The music of Gavin Bryars falls under no category. It is mongrel, full of sensuality and wit and is deeply moving. He is one of the few composers who can put slapstick and primal emotion alongside each other. He allows you to witness new wonders in the sounds around you by approaching them from a completely new angle. With a third ear maybe. . ."