Album: Chopin, Piano Concertos – Janina Fialkowska (Atma)

In 2002, a tumour was found in Janina Fialkowska's left arm, halting a career that began with Artur Rubinstein hailing her as his natural successor.

Eight years on, after extensive surgery, Fialkowska's affinity with the Romantic repertoire shines through in this live recording. These are sensitive and expressive performances. Sadly, the Vancouver Symphony struggles to make much of Chopin's orchestration under Bramwell Tovey's sturdy beat and fails to match Fialkowska's refinement of tone.