Amazing Solo Piano Recordings

Hello Cpdunn,

for DG it isn't bad at all. very balanced and enjoyable. yes... tape hiss is slightly audible, but the performances and recordings in general are very listenable. I can't say that I know of a more enjoyable schumann set- of course there are the Gieseking records (his davidsbundlertanze and kinderscenen in particular are arguably more lucid and have more sweep) and then there is the Cortot footage from the "great pianists" dvd playing "the Prophet" from kinderscenen which is probably for me the most transcendental, ultimate piano art example IMHO, in a masterclass of all places.
You won't regret getting the Kempff set.

Kissin playing Liszt Transcendental Etudes. He really captures the magic, fire and poetry of this fantastical composer. And I'm not a Kissin fan either. Incredible virtuosity in the truest sense of the word.

Thanks, Buxter, for the DG/Schumman comments. Very helpful. As for your second post regarding Kissin, I'm not a huge fan of his, either, but will give him a listen. What do you think of Pletnev's Liszt?

In general, I like Pletnev, he's a great pianist, and an excellent all around musician, a huge sound, a solid and individual approach to things, but I'm not totally sold. There's an underlying MAC truck thing going on that I find taints everything he does a little. But... that is why he is having a thriving and successful career in this current "marketplace/environment".
And I haven't heard his Liszt. I'll look for it.

Really? A MAC truck? Hmmm... I've found him (in live performance, at least) to be rather sensitive and humble. However, I can imagine the MAC truck analogy being applied to his "Pictures from and Exhibition," although I might also call it "magisterial." His Scarlatti is a little strong, I would say, but you might like the Liszt. Not sure if it's still in print.