A genius signed to Decca in 1946 who defined Decca's piano sound in the 1950s and 1960s with ravishing cantabile and depth of sonority borne of matchless technique. 'Complete Decca Recordings' on 35CDs, including new-to-CD early recordings remastered from 78s, plus some of Decca's first-ever 10" and 12" LPs. Presentation includes 35CD Lift-off- lid box; notes by Cyrus Meher-Homji in English, German and French; rare photos and selected original covers in booklet A child prodigy of startling promise, Julius Katchen matured into a pianist of broad interests and unique artistry. His death at age 42 denied a discerning public the presence of one of Decca's star instrumentalists during the 1950s and 1960s. With this 35CD collection Decca Classics celebrates Katchen's remarkable talent and unique virtuosity by showcasing his complete recordings for the label. It features: - His reference interpretations of Brahms' solo piano works - Thrilling accounts of concertos by Gershwin, Prokofiev, Brahms, Grieg, Schumann and Ravel - Recordings that were previously unpublished including Brahms' Clarinet Sonatas Nos.1 & 2 with Thea King and Franck's Prélude, choral et fugue- Rarities that are presented on CD internationally for the first time His exciting pianism was balanced by a depth of sonority and ravishing cantabile. 90 years after his birth, Julius Katchen is remembered as one of the greatest pianists of the 20th Century. Signed to Decca on 30 October 1946, Katchen's early recordings were some of the first to be released as 10” and 12” LPs.   Equally at home with chamber music, he was also Pierre Monteux's chosen orchestral pianist in his 1956 recording of Petrushka, a performance in which he clearly relished the interplay with orchestra.