Byron Janis- Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 3; Toccata, Opp. 11,26 / Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Schumann / Mendelssohn / Pinto
Prokofiev's Third was one of the concertos that appeared  in the Richard Dreyfuss movie "The Competition," and Byron Janis's  performance is generally considered to be more than competition-worthy. In fact,  many consider it the best ever, also a function of Kirill Kondrashin's inspired  accompaniments. Janis's performance is a bit slower than usual, not because he  lacks energy or technique, but rather because he actually takes the time to play  all of those notes and make something musically satisfying out of them. It's a  very personal interpretation, carried through with blazing conviction; and the  coupling, Rachmaninoff's early First Concerto, is equally stunning.--David  Hurwitz