Chopin

(Various piano works)

ACCLAIMED soloist Vladimir Ashkenazy, though longer in the tooth these days, still has the power and perception to present Chopin with style and flourish.

Few would pretend that the maestro still displays the grace and passion of his earlier work.

But there are compensations and his classical maturity and reflective mood bring rewards that younger soloists can only dream about.

Chopin has always been an integral part of Ashkenazy's repertoire and in this 68-minute disc he revisits many of the great man's masterpieces.

The composer's fiery temperament is kept in check in the Fourth Ballade and the soloist has successfully given the piece the time and the space required for fresh appreciation.

The Polonaise-fantaisie tempos are similarly restrained with Ashkenazy lost in thought and wonder at the grandeur of the piece.

There is poise, too, in the Berceuse, and again there are no speed records set for the so-called Minute Waltz, which strolled home in 1min 49secs.

But the soloist didn't plod his way through everything.

The A flat Waltz fairly romped us across the ballroom with delightful panache.

Decca 466 708-2GH

Tchaikovsky (Piano concerto No 1)

Liszt (Piano Sonata in B minor)

BOTH works were greeted with scorn for their novelty and, although played endlessly, they present the soloist with a pretty stiff test.

Turkish pianist Fazil Say takes both pieces, particularly the Liszt, by the throat.

There is nothing subtle or low key about this 63-minute disc and it's strictly for those who like Liszt with attitude. This will delight his devotees.

Say gives us power and menace in bundles and his playing is tumultuous. The St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra is conducted by Yuri Temirkanov.

Teldec 8573 87009-2