Chopin: Polonaises—Maurizio Pollini, piano/DG The Original Source 2 LP 45 RPM vinyl reissue [2025]

I believe this is the first DG Original source reissue cut at 45 RPM. I could be wrong, but no matter, I found out the hard way.

All the DG OS reissues I’ve reviewed have been remastered and cut by the Emil Berliner Studios’ dynamic duo of Rainer Maillard and Sidney Meyer at 33 RPM.

I don’t know the Chopin Polonaises except for the famous Polonaise in A major, Op. 40, No. 1 (nicknamed the “Military Polonaise”). Side 1 contains the unknown to me Polonaise No. 1 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 26 No. and Polonaise No. 2 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 26 No. 2. As a 45 RPM side usually contains less music, there are only two Polonaises on Side 1. Not paying attention on the first go around, I had just finished doom scrolling and replying to emails, when it was time for Side 2.

Ah, now comes the famous “Military Polonaise”. What on earth! Pollini what are you doing? No swashbuckling, clunky phrasing and slow as molasses! Wow, a rare fail.

Stupid, me! Rookie mistake!!

It dawned on me—the tempo, the quick side change, the four square phrasing. The damn thing is 45 RPM. Oh well, live and learn.

From then on, the record is yet another titanic piano release from the DG The Original Source series. The Emil Berliner team choose their originals well and have recut us into piano dreamland (much like their Gilels Beethoven Sonata release). More power and majesty from the great Pollini (5 January 1942 – 23 March 2024). How dare I question you!

The sound the team gets from this fairly ordinary (read threadbare) DG original is astonishing. The bass roars, the mids are as refulgent as a percussion instrument dares and Pollini’s treble rings like a heavenly carillon.

Winner of the 1960 sixth International Chopin Piano Competition in Warsaw at the age of 18, Pollini was born to continue the composer’s legacy throughout his life. Sadly, he went a bridge too far on his late works DG Chopin release, having lost a step. But his Chopin releases from his early and middle years are among the best Chopin recordings.

I reviewed his Chopin Preludes on DG The Original Source vinyl last year—it was exceptional in interpretation, performance and recording. Absolutely gorgeous in every way. This new Chopin recording is equal to it. Maybe even more impressive because of the “swashbuckling’” repertoire. Listen to the famous “Military” among many to feel Pollini’s power and total control over the keyboard. Rhythmic interest and power harnessed by a great artist.

The opening bars of the “Military Polonaise”.

Of course, with the seven great Polonaises, there is ample time for Pollini to show us Chopin’s deeply poetic side along with his unbridled power. Yet, Pollini (along with Rubinstein and Argerich) remind us clearly of Schumann’s famous description of his friend’s music as "cannons buried in flowers". Such quiet power.

After watching long video takes on YouTube of the recent Axpona and Munich audio shows, and listening to interminable selections of puerile music, exhibitors, for the love of God, put that nonsense away (gravelly old men singing with a mic down their throats or over-processed women singers with added echo chamber rim shots) and put any track from these two LPs and listen to your system come to musical and artistic life. Trust me, only cloth-eared punters will not be blown away by the performance, repertoire, and the splendid recording you have chosen.

This is a definite buy recommendation from me.

Original Source 2 Vinyl

€69,99

Release date: July 7, 2025

Catalogue Number: 514817000

Tracklisting

 LP 1

Side A

1. Chopin: Polonaise No. 1 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 26 No. 1

2. Chopin: Polonaise No. 2 in E-Flat Minor, Op. 26 No. 2

Side B

1. Chopin: Polonaise No. 3 in A Major, Op. 40 No. 1 „Military“

2. Chopin: Polonaise No. 4 in C Minor, Op. 40 No. 2

 LP2

Side C

1. Chopin: Polonaise No. 5 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 44

2. Chopin: Polonaise No. 6 in A-Flat Major, Op. 53 „Heroic“

Side D

1. Chopin: Polonaise-Fantaisie in A-Flat Major, Op. 61

Audiophilia purchased its own copy for this review.