Martha Argerichs Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1

There are four versions currently available:

with Dutoit (DG) with Kondrashin (Live, Philips) with Abbado (Live, DG) with Kord (Live, CD Accord)

Any recommendations?

Ask Gerrie

richter, zhukov, pletnev.

I like one with Kondrashin very much that was my first LP for this PC. I think this is a recording of a 'real' live performance without cuts and pastes from other sessions.

I've heard the last 3, but can only remember that the last two were very similar interpretatively, just with predictably finer playing & recording on the DG disc. So the Accord CD is not absolutely essential IMHO as the Schumann concerto on it didn't quite gel with me. Similar to her Teldec recording but rather brittle. She did a better performance on TV a few years back on the BBC Proms broadcasts.

none essential.

martha play good bach beethoven schumann.

she not play tchaikovsky well.

need russian soul.

dk

I agree, but OTOH I think she plays Prokofiev pretty well.

I have the much famed Philips live one, but the super bargain Browning/Ozawa on RCA simply blows away IMHO.

Of the first three, I'd recommend the Abbado/DG. Argerich always plays at a high level, but I feel the first recording is somewhat held back, and the accompanyment is no match for BPO/Abbado. The Kondrashin recording is the most manic/propulsive, but it sometimes veers out of control. The recorded sound and orchestral balance aren't nearly as good as the Abbado recording. Argerich sometimes has trouble maintaining the balance between impulsiveness, reflectiveness, and hysteria. In the Dutoit recording, she's holding back a bit too much. In the Kondrashin, she crosses over into the hysterical (as she does in the Rach 3 final movement). The Abbado recording feels just right. I haven't heard the Kord, so I can't comment on it.

David Fox

for some.

and good ravel prokofiev shostakovich chopin

no. she play tchaikovsky superbly.

russian soul enhanced by argentinian soul.

essential mean for all.

no chopin