Unlike Glenn Gould, who hid in a studio to record, Sokolov prefers to capture his playing for recordings during performances before an audience. And so it should be, for that way the listener gets a far more spontaneous sound in the comfort of an easy chair at home while enjoying the pianist's play. Naïve Classics has just released a 2-CD set of Sokolov performing Frédéric Chopin's music, first recorded between 1985-92 in three different venues. This set of CDs is a dream for Chopin lovers. Sokolov's performances are riveting.

CD 1 features Chopin's Preludes Opus 28, which form a series of 24 independent miniatures. Yet, on listening to them one cannot help but find definite connections between them despite obvious contrasts or divisions. Sokolov exploits these to the fullest in a performance recorded on June 17, 1990 at Salle Adyar, Paris.

CD 2 contains Chopin's Sonata No. 2, Opus 35, and his Études, Opus 25. He composed it at Nohant, George Sand's estate, in 1839. Although this was one of his happier times in life, Chopin created here a tragic piece, dealing with death. Chopin did not die until 10 years later, although already suffering from the tuberculosis that eventually killed him. There is a sense of desperation in this work that Sokolov brings out with great clarity. The final movement, marked Presto, rushes furiously across the keyboard and in its brevity carries some amazingly dissonant harmonies. This performance was recorded in Paris at Salle Gaveau on Nov. 10, 1992.

The Études Opus 25 consist of 12 brief studies of varying moods. Chopin had dedicated them to Marie d'Agout. She had been Franz Liszt's first mistress and mother of his three children, one of whom ended up marrying Richard Wagner. Chopin had become a friend of the couple, hence the dedication. Listening to these short studies, one can feel Sokolov's intense involvement with them. Yet, he brings to these studies an elegant, yet determined interpretation. He recorded this performance in St. Petersburg on June 13, 1985.

It seems ironic that Sokolov, who so obviously enjoys public performances, is one of the great interpreters of Chopin, an artist who shied away from large audiences. The composer much preferred a friendly, intimate group of listeners composed of friends. It gives pleasure, and so comes with high recommendations from this writer.