Luiza Borac’s award-winning discography on AVIE spans music by her compatriot George Enescu back to 19th century masterpieces by Schumann and Liszt. She returns to the Romantic era with a recording of Chopin’s groundbreaking Études. These virtuoso works were showcases for Chopin’s friendly rival Franz Liszt, who went on to transcribe six of the former’s Polish Songs. For Luiza, this recital has musical as well as personal significance as it pays tribute to her long-time supporter and producer, John Barnes. John was a “renaissance man” – an amateur par excellence. In addition to shepherding Luiza’s career, for decades he contentedly sat behind the scenes at the Glyndebourne Festival recording every production for posterity; the fruits of his labour of love are now seeing the light of day on the Festival’s own label. Numerous colleagues and associates offer tributes in the CD booklet, including Glyndebourne General Director David Pickard and conductor Vladimir Jurowski. John was a true friend of Avie and introduced several other young artists to the label. Luiza’s Chopin was his last studio recording.