Chopin: Concerto No 2 (1936) Hofmann/Barbirolli

Frédéric Chopin Piano Concerto No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21 1. Maestoso (0:08) 2. Larghetto (12:17) 3. Allegro Vivace (20:48) Josef Hoffman, pianist John Barbirolli, conductor Orchestra Uncredited Recorded on December 27, 1936 in a Live Broadcast Any recording by Josef Hofmann after he walked away from the studio in 1923 is seen as gift. Even if the quality is poor or erratic, the music content supersedes all else. Even if Hofmann had taken Chopin's second concerto into the studio, it is hard to imagine, other than improved fidelity, a better or more perfect performance. Hofmann plays with uncanny interpretive sensitivity and technical precision that is uniquely his own, and John Barbirolli gives a truly seamless performance that only enhances Hofmann's muse. The recording itself comes from a lacquer disc that is provided by the Hofmann estate, and the 83 year old source has surface issues which cannot be corrected. There are also modulation clips from the live broadcast that are also beyond correction. Nevertheless, the performance itself is the stuff of legends, and technical issues aside, one would be hard-pressed to find a greater performance than the present one. Transfer mastering (1992): Ward Marston and Richard Harris Field acoustic restoration (2022): Paul Howard