Mozart Piano Concerto 21.

the 1st I heard is still my touchstone: the George Szell-Cleveland Orchestra as recommended by Pragmatist above. I had to pull my car to the side of the road to hear it finish when some NPR dj played it on the air 20+ years ago. I've searched and found many great versions since, but that stands as an incredible performance.

Michelangeli!!! with santa cecilia orchestra. One of the best mozart pno concerto recordings, pianist and orchestra. It is a very integrated performance where the orchestra doesn't sound like a "vehicle" for the soloist. One of the best Italian mozarts and probably my favorite overall.

Pletnev,Ashkanazy,Anda,Barenboim,Fischer, these guys attempting conducting/piano, are the worst recordings in the catalogue. There is nothing satisfying about any of these recordings. The orchestras all sound way off,and either they are playing ahead or behind the orchestra at all times.??!! GooffY! Mozart intended that a conductor be present, and seems that's the only way they'll work. The obscure pianists on the Point Classic and Lazer Light labels are much much better performances than these "stars". And this principle applies to Oistrakh's recording of Mozart's violin concerti. Though he's my all-time favorite violinist, you could not even give me his EMI recordings.

tweekerman, you couldn't pay me to listen to any of his recordings.

Buxter66, I'm not sure if you are actually saying that you don't care much for Oistrakh's style???!! You just can't be saying that? Oistrakh is known as a legend in all musical circles throughtout the world. On which recording of his did you get a bad taste? Do you prefer Heiftz? That's ok with me. How about Hillary Hahn? Back to Cdollars question, I really don't have a favorite on #21. Now on #'s 14,23,25 Moravec on Supraphon, and 20,23,24,25 again Moravec on Decca. ..Include the new Virgin recording of Piotr Anderszewski's piano/conducting of Mozart in the "least satisfying pile".