JULIAN FONTANA (1810-1869): Piano Works, Vol. 2 - 2 Romances, Op. 18, 2 Feuilles d'Album, Op. 15, Morceaux caractéristiques en forme d'Études, Op. 9, Nos. 7-12, Deuxième Grande Valse Brillante, Op. 13, Fantaisie Brillante sur des Motifs du Freyschütz, Op. 6.

Description: An almost exact contemporary of Chopin, Fontana left Poland after the 1831 Revolution and spent the rest of his life as a traveling virtuoso based in Paris. He performed and edited Chopin's music and was chosen as his executor after his death. Needless to say, Chopin is the starting point for Fontana's own piano music and he doesn't stray far from the model although he also adds his own takes on the ever-popular genre of the opera fantasy. And, yes, I apparently failed to offer Volume One when it was released back in 2008. I'll try to have it for next month's catalogue... Philippe Devaux (piano).