"The Chopin Zyklus" Vol.1 "Maestoso" is the first volume of an ambitious project spanning approximately eight years to record all of Chopin’s solo piano works, presented by pianist Jun-ichi Ito—1st prize winner of the Chopin Piano Competition of Japan, recipient of the Chopin Society of Japan Award, and prizewinner of numerous other international competitions. Over the past eight years, Ito refined his craft in France at prestigious institutions including the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Paris, the Conservatoire National Supérieur de Musique et de Danse de Lyon, and the École Normale de Musique de Paris. He has earned high acclaim for his deeply moving music rooted in the mainstream European tradition, as well as his solid, unpretentious technique. The key features defining Ito's performance include a natural, vocal-like breathing quality in his melodies, deep and rich harmonies spun from a diverse palette of tone colors, and a delicate musical presence that quietly reaches into the depths of the listener's heart. The concept of "playing as if singing"—which can be considered the core philosophy of Chopin's art—resonates deeply with Ito's own artistic worldview. Message from Jun-ichi Ito: "For The Chopin Zyklus, I have decided to give each volume a subtitle inspired by its core piece. This album, titled 'Maestoso' (Majestic, with dignity), features works composed primarily during Chopin's later years in Nohant. During this period, as his creative powers reached full maturity, he produced masterworks that represent the pinnacle of his art—such as the Ballade No. 3 and Barcarolle, both rich in lyricism and vivid imagery; the Nocturnes Op. 62, imbued with a serene beauty; and the Piano Sonata No. 3, a grand and powerfully epic work. On the other hand, the posthumously published Mazurkas and Waltzes from his later years offer an intimacy and candor distinct from his large-scale works. In them, we catch a glimpse of Chopin not merely as a composer who graced the salons, but as a human being. Through this Zyklus, as we journey from widely loved masterpieces to rarely performed gems, I hope to gradually approach the full picture of his oeuvre alongside new discoveries."