Amazing Solo Piano Recordings

Anything by Mikhail Pletnev, the Russian pianist. His recording of "Pictures From An Exhibition" on Virgin is stunning. I can't stand the orchestral version of Pictures...the original piano version is vastly superior.

Two other Pletnev recordings well worth having are his Scarlatti sonatas (on piano, not harpsichord; also on Virgin, I think) and "Live at Carnegie Hall" on DG.

Pletnev, in my view, is equivalent to another Russian great, the late Emil Gilels.

Have you tried Pail Machlis? He is a scottish Pianist who freaquently plays with Alasdair Fraser. I think his best album is "The Bright Field". The baby grand piano he plays has a unique and prononced tonality to it.

Pug99,

Being Scottish myself, I'm interested in finding out more about Machlis!

Horowitz live in Moscow...second Monk "alone in frisco"

Paul Machlis has several CD's out with world class fiddler Alasdair Fraser, and a few solo recordings. The Bright Field and The Magic Horse are the two most memorable solo efforts. For traditional Scottish music, check out the team's two titles; The Road North (recorded here in Portland, OR) and Skyedance.

They are truly incredible.