No pianist, regardless of his sensibilities and tastes, can deny the unique genius that is Chopin.  No music is quite like it, either composed before or after.  His works are an unquestionable part of every pianist's experience.  Chopin brought to the literature of his instrument, something so personal and so inspired as to transcend both the instrument itself and its historical context.

Chopin's works have been for me the substance of a life-long development process - the more you grow, the more elusive they become.

I have been well acquainted with the general aspects of Chopin's life, and I welcome any elucidation of any facet of his life - as if new insight each time might bring me closer to fully understanding the essence of his inspiration.  It is with the greatest pleasure that I salute the work of Cecilia and Jens Jorgensen in presenting a uniquely plausible explanation of a most intriguing mystery of Chopin's last year.

I find that their vision offers the first truly believable explanation of the sources as they exist - and it certainly has been a revelation to me.  It is all the more interesting as it strongly links, a century and a half later, Chopin's life with that of Jenny Lind - two great personalities brought together in a new light.

I personally find their book to be a fascinating and thoroughly enjoyable journey through Chopin's life and times - and I most heartily recommend it to you.

Daniel Blumenthal
Pianist
Professor at the
Royal Conservatory of Brussels