I suggested in January that the box of three full-price LPs, from which this CD derives provides short measure in these days of longer records, since the Ballades and Scherzos are spread over two sides each and the Sonatas Nos. 2 and 3 occupy the third LP. Now RCA have put the Ballades and Scherzos on to one Compact Disc lasting 69 minutes to provide a much better bargain in CD terms. When Rubinstein has such a high reputation as a Chopin player it seems almost lesemajeste to say that the performances are very good rather than outstanding, but they are certainly easier to listen to in the new format since the piano tone is softer and set in a more natural acoustic.'