EVGENY KISSIN

Bach’s mighty Toccata and fugue in D minor wasn’t published until 1833, after which it was championed by Mendelssohn, spawning numerous transcriptions including this one by the Polish piano virtuoso Karl Tausig (1841-1871). Mozart’s single movement Adagio in B minor of 1788 is of a gentler, more introvert beauty. Likewise, the lyrical first movement of Beethoven’s Piano Sona-ta No 31 (his penultimate) composed in 1821. A scherzo-like Allegro molto and a heartfelt Adagio ma non tanto follow, before a Bach-like fugal finale. Nine years later, the 20 year old Chopin left Poland, never to return, but his career-long string of mazurkas based on the traditional triple-time Polish dance tell us where his heart remained. His virtuoso Grande polonaise brillante, preceded by a rippling Andante spianato, was conceived before he left, but completed in Paris.