Alexis Weissenberg (1929-2012) was one of the most polarising and fascinating virtuosos of his era.

Born in Sofia, Weissenberg made his mark as an exceptional young virtuoso, touring at the age of fifteen and performing with Leonard Bernstein before moving to New York in 1946. He trained at Juilliard and won the 1947 Leventritt Competition. After a decade-long sabbatical in the 1950s to “reconstruct” his technique, he returned to the stage with a style defined by “steel and soul” - a combination of chiselled sonorities, rhythmic precision, structural unity, and a total lack of superficiality. Nothing about Alexis Weissenberg was ordinary - from his upbringing during the Second World War and his uneven career trajectory to his uncompromising interpretations, which inspired both admiration and fiery opposition. This comprehensive boxset captures his tireless pursuit of musical truth (a vision that continues to provoke and fascinate today), an essential acquisition for collectors of great 20th-century pianism.