RIAS − Rundfunk im amerikanischen Sektor – was the “Western” radio in Berlin between 1946 and 1993, serving as a cultural link between the two Germanys for decades. During that time, the RIAS recorded numerous musicians from across the world, including Jorge Bolet between 1962 and 1966 (in addition to a single track with Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu in 1973): some three hours of recorded material covering a fair share of the massive repertoire of the notorious Cuban pianist at the height of his glory and career. These performances of course include works by Liszt and Chopin, numerous diabolically virtuoso pieces by Godowsky (of whom he was a disciple at the beginning of the 30s) and Moszkowski, as well as the two books of Debussy’s Préludes. An absolute delight for fans of the great gentleman pianist, particularly as all tracks, with no exception, come directly from the original RIAS matrices, re-mastered with the greatest care given to the sounds, polyphonic textures, contrasts and colours (especially for Debussy) the pianist magnificently conferred to everything he played. One can only regret that only three hours of Bolet exist in this higher quality. © SM/Qobuz