[USED:Cond.B] Piano Concerto, 1, 2, : Zimerman(P)/ Polish Festival O

Chopin composed some of the most mellifluous music written for piano. He was 19 years old when he wrote these pieces, imbuing them with the energy of youth. Pianist Krystian Zimerman, past 40 at the time of this recording, delves into himself, bringing fresh excitement to the performances.
Zimerman conducts the Polish Festival Orchestra from the piano bench. These musicians, hand-picked by Zimerman himself, are all well-versed in Chopin's performance traditions. They are young, enthusiastic, and share in Zimerman's musical vision. They turn in a performance with all the verve one expects of Chopin, and Zimerman's piano rings with authority.
Conducting from the piano bench is no easy task for a soloist, and Zimerman, though he claims to have no conservatory conducting training, excels. His achievement makes this an important recording of Chopin's concertos as well as an enjoyable one.