Piano Sonata, 2, Preludes: Collard

On this remarkable disc, after a 33-year hiatus, pianist Jean-Philippe Collard returns to the music of Chopin. Over the years, he has developed and refined the perfect balance of interpretative options. He sees this disc as both a break from the past and a renewal. A change of labels and repertory has enabled him to escape a certain routine, to put himself on the line. There are countless benchmark versions on this repertory, but the French pianist has not sought to measure himself against them. Collard's approach to the composer is honest and totally sincere. Recording Chopin represented a genuine challenge, which he has conquered in a style that is his alone.