This fourth volume of late Alfred Cortot completes APR’s survey of the post-war recordings which the pianist made for EMI in the UK. We are now entering the era of tape recording and, apart from the Deutsche Ländler of 1951, all the other titles (which date from 1953-54) were recorded in this new medium.

This gave the artist new freedom, as he was not restriced to the length of a 78rpm side for each take, and Cortot tackled much of his ‘big’ repertoire again. Sadly, by this time his failing health meant that many works remained unissued as they did not meet the standards of his earlier magnificent versions, however some did stand the test of time, as can be heard in the Carnaval featured here.

His playing may have become technically more fallible but the performances fully support the claim of the late Thomas Manshardt, one of Cortot's last pupils, that this period of Cortot's career "is his greatest in thought and warmth and mastery".

The booklet contains a discography of all Cortot’s HMV sessions from 1953 to 1955.

Contents:
Franz Schubert
- Moment musical in F minor D780/3
30 June or 1 July 1954
- 12 Deutsche Ländler D790
17 October 1951
- Litanie (arr. Cortot)
9 May 1953

Franz Liszt
- Hungarian Rhapsody No.11 in A minor S244/11
9 May 1953

Robert Schumann
- Carnaval Op.9 (Scènes mignonnes sur quatre notes)
7 & 8 May 1953

Frederic Chopin
- Nocturne No.5 in F sharp major Op.15/2
30 June or 1 July 1954
- Etude in G flat Op.10/5
29 June 1954
- Etude in F minor Op.25/2
29 June 1954
- Etude in G flat Op.25/9
29 June 1954
- Sonata No.2 in B flat minor Op.35 - Marche funèbre
8 May 1953
- Tarantelle in A flat Op.43
30 June or 1 July 1954
- Sonata No.3 in B minor Op.58 - Largo
28 June 1954
- Waltz No.7 in C# minor Op.64/2
30 June or 1 July 1954