Piano Concerti 21 & 24
The brilliant, energetic readings of Robert Casadesus and George Szell set a standard for this repertory that has yet to be surpassed. Dramatic and tightly wound, but never dry or unsmiling, these accounts combine grace and lucidity with an almost operatic lyricism, and remain among the most satisfying and evocative in the catalog. The sound is dry but firm and detailed, and Sony has done an excellent job of remastering.--Ted Libbey