Ludwig van Beethoven - Two Rondos for piano, Op. 51
George Enescu - Suite No. 2 for piano, Op. 10
Frédéric Chopin
- Ballade No. 3 in A-flat major, Op. 47
- Nocturne in E-flat major, Op. 55, No. 2
- Introduction and Rondo in E-flat major, Op. 16
- Polonaise No. 6 in A-flat major "Heroic", Op. 53

As I had pointed out previously in this review of Charles Richard-Hamelin's amazing all Chopin recording, this Canadian pianist certainly has a way of enhancing a musical composition without inflicting too much of his own mannerisms and idiosyncrasies on the music's discourse in quite a remarkable way. And not only that, but as displayed on this new 'live' recording featuring three deeply contrasting composers, he can quickly and easily switch stylistic hats from one composer to the next without leaving any traces behind. By this I mean that his Beethoven is steadfastly classical, his Enescu colorfully modern, and his Chopin deeply romantic, without any interpretive colors bleeding from one to the other. Something which again demonstrates that he's a master musician that can perform any musical work at face value, or as intended by the composer, without imposing his own conceptions on it. The notes printed on the score vanish, the awesome technique involved fades away, the weeks of rehearsals are forgotten, and he simply delivers the essence of the music at hand. What more is there to say .... He brings to mind the 20th century greats that pioneered these masterpieces on the concert stage!

Jean-Yves Duperron - November 2016