And these performances are a good testimony to their greatness, and to their special relationship with Prokofiev's music. Richter's is the one that is marginally more exciting, with faster speeds and delicate, rapid fingerwork. His dynamic control and sheer command of colour is breathtaking, and he understands the work more than anyone else. Every turn of a phrase is twisted and manipulated with such mastery, culminating in a riveting finale that has one at the edge of the seat. This is part of an astounding recital disc, containing selections by Scriabin, Debussy and Prokofiev's Visions Fugitives , all given stunning performances.
Sound quality varies, but is generally adequate.
Besides, such great piano-playing should never ever be bypassed just because the recording quality is not good. Gilels on Vox is the more expansive account of the two, adopting relatively measured tempi. But while Richter excites with dazzling fingerwork, Gilels is the more masterly and authoritative. This is reminiscent of the way he dealt with the Appassionata in a classic DG recording from the 70s, and the result spells nothing short of greatness. Better recorded sound than what DG gave Richter, doing justice to Gilels' personal sound world.