I enjoyed the F major Nocturne most of all on this budget-price CD. Ogdon plays the opening and closing sections with exquisite delicacy, and rises to the excitement of the central episode with complete control. There are many lovely things in other works too, such as the finely sung second subject in the sonata's first movement, and the other-worldly (albeit dangerously slow) Largo. At other times I felt that Ogdon was over-reacting to this or that idea in the course of a piece, or movement, to the detriment of its continuity and shape as a whole. To a greater or lesser extent that is true of the outer movements of the sonata, likewise the F minor Fantasia (with its exceptionally slow central Lento sostenuto and preceding ritenuto), also of the Barcarolle and the C minor Polonaise. While splendidly responsive to the allegro qualifying the maestoso of the latter, Ogdon slightly unsteadies things here with his quicker tempo (unrequested by Chopin) for the first contrasting episode. A few moments of technical strain in moments of heightened excitement, as also in the leggiero quaver flow of the sonata's Scherzo, are of less importance.
The recording itself is slightly clangy above a certain dynamic level, but very attentive to softer nuances. In sum, then, a record for those who cherised the Ogdon of old, and who believe a return to standards of old within eventual reach. Every one of us wishes him well.'