Yunchan Lim: Chopin: Études Op 10 & Op 25 album review – prodigiously gifted young pianist confirms he’s something special
The South Korean musician’s first recording for Decca features thrilling and original performances
October 2022
How low can you go? Singer Iestyn Davies’s melancholic playlist
What connects a tea towel, a double-decker bus and a facial? The countertenor picks his 10 favourite tracks that distil the beauty of tears, pull at the heart strings and suspend time
July 2022
Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra review – tears and roars of delight for new national ensemble
Giving only their second ever performance, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra was highly impressive and deeply moving in a programme of Silvestrov, Chopin, Beethoven and Brahms
June 2022
Book of the day
Briefly, a Delicious Life by Nell Stevens review – on holiday with Chopin and George Sand
A teenage ghost observes the erotic and creative bond between composer and author in Stevens’s playful debut novel
July 2021
Chopin: Complete Nocturnes review – powerful period piano is something special
Though not the most imaginative take on the 21 nocturnes, the French pianist captures Chopin’s music as it was conceived on a superb-sounding 1836 Pleyel
June 2021
Lockdown culture
Royal Ballet: Balanchine and Robbins review – Vadim Muntagirov’s Apollo is simply divine
The Russian always had technique, now he’s got belief in this terrific all-American programme also taking in work from the 1960s set to music by Tchaikovsky and Chopin
November 2020
Chopin's interest in men airbrushed from history, programme claims
Journalist says he has found overt homoeroticism in Polish composer’s letters
August 2020
Know the score
Chopin: where to start with his music
He composed nothing that did not involve a piano and died tragically young. Yet the Polish composer’s imagination and melodic beauty left a huge imprint on music – just ask Barry Manilow
February 2020
In Search of Chopin review – the composer with 'a gift from God'
This engaging documentary highlights the emotional power of his music – and his liaison with France’s most famous woman
January 2020
Wang and Capuçon review – a dazzling display electrifies Chopin and Franck
Wang’s crisp and agile piano highlights Capuçon’s warm and intense cello as the star pair perform the concert of their CD
December 2018
Maestro Daniil Trifonov to evoke spirit of Chopin on original pianos
Chopin: Scherzos and Ballades review – restored to uncompromising glory
November 2018
Fryderyk Chopin by Alan Walker review – romance, rage and swooning admirers
An authoritative, accessible biography details Chopin’s personal turmoil and captures his true musical significance
August 2018
The Guardian Books podcast
Paul Kildea on Chopin and Amy Sackville on Velázquez – books podcast
Paul Kildea explores how Frédéric Chopin wrote his Preludes and what became of them after his death, while Amy Sackville looks at power and PR through the lens of Diego Velázquez
November 2017
Chopin Evocations CD review – faultless Trifonov is hindered by plodding tempi
Examination of Chopin’s pickled heart solves riddle of his early death
January 2017
Chopin: Late Works CD review – intense focus on harmonic daring
Julien Brocal: Chopin Preludes etc CD review – quietly riveting
December 2016
Seong-Jin Cho: Chopin review – mature, touching and passionate debut
April 2016
Yundi review – Chinese superstar never quite lets rip
This stark all-Chopin recital had some mesmerising moments – but the young pianist’s risk aversion was at the expense of spontaneity
