Chopin - Sonate NR.1, 3 Ecossaises, Walzer NR.3, Bolero, Nocturne NR.21, Tarentelle

Released in 1968 on the Philips label, this collection features the Polish pianist Adam Harasiewicz performing a selection of Frédéric Chopin’s works, including the Sonata No. 1 and various dances and nocturnes. Harasiewicz had gained international prominence a decade earlier by winning the 1955 International Chopin Piano Competition, an achievement that cemented his reputation as a primary interpreter of the composer’s repertoire. The recording was produced during a period when Philips was actively expanding its classical catalog with high-fidelity pressings of renowned European soloists.

The album reflects the mid-century approach to classical curation, pairing a substantial sonata with more accessible miniatures like the ecossaises and waltzes. As a musician deeply rooted in the Polish romantic tradition, Harasiewicz was noted for a delicate, nuanced touch that favored clarity over overt theatricality. The recording was received by critics as a faithful and technically proficient addition to the Chopin discography, maintaining the legacy of the Warsaw School of piano performance throughout the late 1960s.