Encores
Whether you love Vladimir Horowitz or not, you had to admit that in some showpieces he is incomparable. Here are lots of them: his ownVariations on a Theme from Carmen, his souped-up versions of theDanse MacabreandRakoczy March, and Moszkowski'sSparks.Stars and Stripes Foreversounds as though the pianist had at least three hands--and good ones at that. I never cared for Horowitz's Chopin, and I'm afraid he beats the hell out of the ChopinPolonaisehe plays here. But when you want to hear Horowitz the great showman, this is definitely the disc to play.--Leslie Gerber