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Amazon.com Revisiting the very repertoire featured on his concerto recording debut from the seventies, Emanuel Ax makes his first foray into the world of period instruments, playing a mid-1800s Erard. While its sound is not as big as that of a modern concert grand, the treble and bass registers have greater timbral differentiation. Ax responds to the instrument like a kid with a new toy. The concerto's outer movements are lighter in texture and more urgent in expression than the two shorter concerted works, which sing and dance with just the right blend of pomp and brio. Abetted by his superb, responsive band, Charles Mackerras clarifies instrumental detail in a way that belies Chopin's maligned reputation as an orchestrator. --Jed Distler Product description Made in USA. cd is free of scratches. Hardly used. May be some handling wear to the cd case.