I find it odd that, with two works in which the piano takes the lead, it’s Johannes Moser whose photo adorns the CD’s cover and whose biography is more prominently featured. That said, this is an excellently balanced recording, with performances that are persuasive and convincing. In the Sonata, Kupiec and Moser relate perfectly to each other, following one another’s rubato seemingly spontaneously. Kupiec has a fluid way with Chopin, keeping the music flowing easily, without rigidity, and Moser’s warm, malleable tone is an ideal vehicle for the lovely lyrical lines. A fine example is the Scherzo’s Trio; he and Kupiec explore all its harmonic subtleties without destroying the overall momentum. The Scherzo and finale have, perhaps, an unusually serious air, relating them more firmly to the passionate first movement. For me the Sonata’s touchstone recording is the 1981 Argerich/Rostropovich account; the mercurial quality of their playing allows the many expressive details to emerge more vividly. But this does not invalidate the more sober yet still vital approach of Moser and Kupiec.

The Trio, too, sounds fluent and beautifully integrated; the first movement’s con fuoco character is particularly well captured. The many extended passages of piano figuration flow effortlessly; on another fine recent recording, by the Trio Chausson, which generally favours slightly slower tempi, these passages, by taking their time, often introduce more expressive variety. The Chausson recording tends to favour the piano; a natural balance, perhaps, but I’d prefer the more equal weight given to the three instruments by Hänssler. All in all, these are highly recommendable performances.