All the Nocturnes, as with the Waltzes (reviewed below) have been extracted from Ashkenazy's long-running series of mixed Chopin recitals for separate reissue together—here in a two-record album which makes excellent sense. The sound-world, as always with this artist, is wholly Chopinesque in its gleaming translucency. Only very occasionally at moments of emphasis in the treble did I detect just a passing steely glint. Tempo is invariably judicious. Certainly the slightly more flowing speed chosen for the lento of No. 6 in G minor allows No. 11 in the same key to sound more laden in contrast. In comparison with the older Rubinstein (RCA), Ashkenazy's rubato perhaps draws just a little more attention to itself (as in the first few notes of the opening B flat minor Nocturne)—though never quite so much as from Arrau (Philips). Obviously there is strong competition in this field on LP—and not just from those two eminent rivals. But in his sense of wonder Ashkenazy never disappoints. The magic and mystery of this music emerge in a way I can only describe as hypnotic.'