This disc is typical of Pollinis Chopin playing. There is always feeling in the music, and it is consistently expressive, in Pollinis patrician way. But if you want to hear a pianist getting his hands dirty in this music, this is definitely not the disc for you. Pollinis poetry is always refined; even his stormy outbursts are elegant. Although the Fantasie seems underpowered--and Pollini, with his extraordinary technique, still takes an unwritten extra beat for comfort when he has to skip from the top of the keyboard to the bottom--the remaining performances are extraordinary enough in their way to be well worth hearing, providing their own unique perspective on Chopin. Just dont expect the passion of Rubinstein. At 48:16, this is quite short measure for a contemporary full-price CD. --Leslie Gerber