Presented here is a 1954 broadcast recording of the legendary pianist Solomon performing three of Chopin’s ballades. While he set down the Opus 52 in-studio eight years earlier, the F major & A-flat major ballades are—as far as I know—completely new additions to Solomon’s catalogue of recordings. He was far better known for playing Beethoven and Brahms by the end of his career, but he had all four Ballades in his repertoire and regularly programmed them up until a sudden stroke ended his performing career in 1956.

Ballade no. 2 in F Major (0:16) Ballade no. 3 in Ab Major (7:36) Ballade no. 4 in F Minor (14:28)