What Chopin solo piano cds are the best?

Iasi, Thanks for mentioning RADU LUPU. This piano virtuoso really has ability on Brahms and Schumann, but I never heard him play Chopin. He worked for Decca/London, but I never saw anything on that label regarding He and Chopin. Can you elaborate on this?...........Frank

Awesome thread. Am just now getting to know Chopin, and starting to appreciate the solos. Thanks for all of the great input!

There are some recordings that simply sound more like a real piano (on most systems), and there are some recordings that capture great performances of Chopin. I suspect that most of us on this site would like a combination of both, but even then there remains a wide range of interpretations. My bias is to have the piano score played fairly "straight" without excessive emotion, and in this sense I think Rubinstein was the greatest interpreter of Chopin; plus the RCA CD's don't sound too bad. (On the other hand, Arrau plays with such extreme rubato that I just can't believe it reflects the composer's intentions.) I also like Pollini on DG and would especially recommend the Preludes or Polonaises or Ballades. Don't overlook Valerie Tryon playing Scherzos/Ballades on CBC Records (CD1092). A little known work that inspired me to play Chopin is the set of Waltzes done by Geza Anda on RCA Victrola (CD 7744). Audiophiles, don't miss Malcolm Frager playing selected Chopin on Telarc (CD-80280)... incredibly realistic sound, and very nice technique too. Finally, it is interesting to hear Rachmaninoff play Chopin from the 78rpm records (transfered to CD by BMG Classics), but hard on the ears.

The magnificent Chopin Waltzes, have never really been played to my 100% satisfaction by Rubinstein (uninspired performances),or any other, until I discovered the Dmitri Alexeev performance on EMI Digital(1985). This faulty early digital recording, contains the most inspired, grandiose and wonderful playing of these familiar pieces. A certain rightness to the playing that makes ones inner soul feel great. I searched most of the catalogue and was mostly unhappy with all other performances (including Lipatti on EMI) There may be nothing else Alexeev plays of any value, but his rendition of the Waltz's secures his place in my book..........Frank
CHOPIN: WALTZ'S (19), EMI/ANGEL CDC 7 47501 2 (CD)