Berceuse Des-Dur Op. 57 / Scherzo H-Moll Op. 20 / Mazurka C-Dur Op. 24 Nr. 2 / Mazurka A-Moll Op. 67 Nr. 4 / Mazurka D-Dur Op. 33 Nr. 2

This 1957 recording, issued on the Opera label under catalog number 3148, features the Yugoslav-German pianist Branka Musulin performing a selection of works by Frédéric Chopin. Musulin was highly regarded during the mid-20th century for her disciplined technique and her insightful interpretations of Romantic repertoire, particularly her approach to Chopin’s delicate structural shifts. This release captures her during a period when the Opera label was focused on making standard classical repertoire accessible to a growing post-war audience of high-fidelity enthusiasts.

The selection includes the Berceuse in D-flat major, Op. 57, alongside the Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20, and several Mazurkas. These works represent the breadth of Chopin’s compositional voice, spanning from the meditative, ornamental nature of the Berceuse to the dramatic, often turbulent intensity of the Scherzo. Musulin’s performance was praised by contemporary critics for its clarity and refusal to over-romanticize the scores, reflecting a broader mid-century movement toward a more precise, structurally focused style of piano performance that sought to balance emotional depth with technical rigour.