These works, all recorded in Milan by Michelangeli between the ages of 19 and 31, show a man at the beginning of his career as an already finished artist. One can only echo what a critic wrote in 1948, ‘What a pianist! Technically, the playing is astonishing: interpretatively, here is a very great musician’. Volume 1 (1939–1948) is available on 8.111351: ‘These early Michelangeli recordings enshrine pianism that marries technically impeccable command with a refined aristocracy that never precludes warmth.’ (MusicWeb International)