Bartok: Concerto for Orchestra / Music for Strings, Percussion & Celesta (Royal Edition No. 1)
Many critics have hailed Bartók's Concerto for Orchestra the greatest  orchestral work of the 20th century. If one is disposed to think in terms of  lists or contests, it may very well be. It is certainly Bartók's greatest work,  and to date there are over 35 recordings of it on the market. This is one of the  best. Of course, the New York Philharmonic in its heyday under Leonard Bernstein  was a superbly well-oiled machine, and Bartók's masterpiece fairly sparkles  here. (Catch the horn fanfare near the end of the first movement. Wow.) Since  this is a mid-price release, it's a must.--Paul Cook