Mozart Piano Concerto 21.

Tweekerman,

I'm with you with respect to Oistrakh, particularly his non-Mozart canon. As for Pletnev, I hope you're not broadly castigating him. As a conductor, yes I agree, and I'm thrilled that he's largely giving that up. As a pianist, I think he's the greatest thing since Emil Gilels.

Not refering to Pletnev as pianist, he spectatularly peforms Rachmaninov's P.C.#1 and the Rhapsody on a Theme Of Paganini, as well an outstanding (if not best) performance of the Tchaikovsky P.C. Same for Ashkanaky's Prokofiev and Rachmaninov's Concerti/Previn. The issue of soloist/conductor failure was brought to my attention years ago when I first heard Oistrakh's Mozart V.C. on EMI. These Mozart P.Concerti are great works and require absolute attention to the keys. Can't figure out why these guys decided to play superartist??? I would have loved to hear these recordings of Ashkanazy,Pletnev,,Fischer,and Anderszewski with a conductor on the podium. Never can get enough of great performances of Mozart's great P.C.'s.

Yes, that would be nice, Tweekerman. I live in Chicago, so Barenboim does this all the time with Mozart at the CSO.

BTW: Pletnev's "Pictures From An Exhibition" is terrific, in my book.

Cdpunn,Is Barenboim with a conductor while he's on the piano? In Chicago I'm sure you get to see some big names. (New Orleans not much ever comes this way). If you get a chance check the CSO schedule for Hillary Hahn, not to be missed. If anyone reads this, and does get to see or has seen Miss Hahn's performance, please post a review(start a new thread). Yes Pletnev on the Rachmaninov #1 Paganini Theme is "different", very fast playing, very accurate rendition. I'll certainly give his Mussorgsky a listen. I think on Chopin though, I have to go with Pollini, Perahia, Ashkanazy, in that order.

Tweekerman, believe it or not, I am saying that I don't enjoy listening to just about anything Oistrakh did recorded or live. In fact, Oistrakh reminds me of another Russian artist, Emil Gilels, another one I am perplexed why there is such a huge cult following from otherwise intelligent and tasteful music lovers.
IMO, I find them both very predicable, everything sounds the same regardless of the composer or particular piece. technical uniformity and sterility mar their performances. They are some of the few "great" artists that don't sound alive or spontaneous "live" to me. i.e. ... Gilels Carnegie hall live recital, or even the Bach Double with Menuhin...