Vladimir Ashkenazy & Idil Biret play Chopin Souvenir de Paganini

[mfebr]

Both interpretations give a strong emphasis to the main theme, with a clear, even robust, cantabile. I like that much better than the delicate toying of some other interpretations. Biret tends to give the first note of many measures an extended rubato accent; it's an interesting effect. I think many interpretations would benefit from an ending that emphasizes the forte in the second-to-last line; these measures deserve a rubato emphasis as the thematic climax, contrasting with the last line.