'Chopin's music presents us with a strange paradox' writes Yevgeny Sudbin in his liner notes to this recording. In Sudbin's own experience, the music's direct emotional appeal makes it instantly accessible to most listeners, but to the interpreter `it becomes a tough balancing act: on the one side, na‹vety and blandness threaten, while, on the other side, a labored and contrived approach could potentially damage the music'. Sudbin's own approach has been influenced by Chopin's own words regarding interpretation: 'Simplicity is the highest goal, achievable when you have overcome all difficulties.' But, as he recounts, he is also fascinated by historic recordings by legends  which have made an impact on him on account of the highly personal playing: 'the beguiling rhythmic swings, freedom in phrasing, articulation that tickles you all over.'