Classical Music for Aficionados

Just been browsing on Idagio and came across a compilation entitled The Art of Maurizio Pollini and the first three tracks are Stravinsky's Three Movements from Petrushka. I have never heard them played so well and they are generally avoided by pianists as they are so fiendishly difficult, Mr Pollini ate them up and swallowed them whole. It was worth the subscription to Idagio for them alone as I was stunned by the playing. I have only ever been to see Pollini perform once and it was in the seventies at City Halls Candleriggs in Glasgow. I even remember the program as it was so special because he directed from the piano Mozart's Piano Concerto no 24 and he conducted Beethoven's Symphony no 4. I don't think he has conducted since but I say he made a really good job of it. One thing that did strike me was he had the most beautiful hands that I have ever seen on a pianist. They were so long and thin and his stretch was enormous , some of his octaves were with thumb and ring finger without the slightest strain. I would hunt them out if I were you and I assure you will not be disappointed . Other stuff in the compilation are wonderful renditions of Chopin's Opus 25 Etudes and also a virtuosic Beethovens - Piano Sonata in C Minor Op.111.

yes yes
I have the Pollini Stravinsky "petrushka" as part of a 13 cd set from GD
and I love Angela Hewitt's Couperin (3 cds on hyperion), her Chabrier, Faure, Debussy, Chopin, Liszt, Beethoven, Handel & Haydn
and she plays well with others too

I had that recording of Petrouchka on an LP many years ago (think I still have it.)
Astounding performance. Really captures the spirit of the original orchestration.

I have 3 different publications of the same Petrouchka recording by Pollini.
The original DG, the 13 cd compilation, and the Great Pianists of 20th Century.
I also have Gilels' recording, which is magnificent.
And Weissenberg.
And Marcelle Meyer.
All these recordings are wonderful.