Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 / Nutcracker (ballet suite) excerpts ~ Gilels / Reiner
You gotta have at least one recording of this most Russian of piano concertos played by a  Russian pianist, right? The fact is, most of the greatest ones have not been by Russians, perhaps reflecting  the history of the concerto itself, which was rejected by Anton Rubinstein, its Russian dedicatee, and  premiered by the German conductor/pianist Hans von Bulow--in Boston of all places. Gilels is the  exception that proves the rule, however, for here is a super interpretation by one of Russia's best pianists.  Having Fritz Reiner and Chicago on hand to handle the accompaniment virtually guarantees the best  possible results from all concerned, but let's give Gilels his due. It's a great recording.--David  Hurwitz