Mozart Piano Concerto 21.

Buxter66, I'm not sure if you are actually saying that you don't care much for Oistrakh's style???!! You just can't be saying that? Oistrakh is known as a legend in all musical circles throughtout the world. On which recording of his did you get a bad taste? Do you prefer Heiftz? That's ok with me. How about Hillary Hahn? Back to Cdollars question, I really don't have a favorite on #21. Now on #'s 14,23,25 Moravec on Supraphon, and 20,23,24,25 again Moravec on Decca. ..Include the new Virgin recording of Piotr Anderszewski's piano/conducting of Mozart in the "least satisfying pile".

Tweekerman,

I'm with you with respect to Oistrakh, particularly his non-Mozart canon. As for Pletnev, I hope you're not broadly castigating him. As a conductor, yes I agree, and I'm thrilled that he's largely giving that up. As a pianist, I think he's the greatest thing since Emil Gilels.

Not refering to Pletnev as pianist, he spectatularly peforms Rachmaninov's P.C.#1 and the Rhapsody on a Theme Of Paganini, as well an outstanding (if not best) performance of the Tchaikovsky P.C. Same for Ashkanaky's Prokofiev and Rachmaninov's Concerti/Previn. The issue of soloist/conductor failure was brought to my attention years ago when I first heard Oistrakh's Mozart V.C. on EMI. These Mozart P.Concerti are great works and require absolute attention to the keys. Can't figure out why these guys decided to play superartist??? I would have loved to hear these recordings of Ashkanazy,Pletnev,,Fischer,and Anderszewski with a conductor on the podium. Never can get enough of great performances of Mozart's great P.C.'s.

Yes, that would be nice, Tweekerman. I live in Chicago, so Barenboim does this all the time with Mozart at the CSO.

BTW: Pletnev's "Pictures From An Exhibition" is terrific, in my book.

Cdpunn,Is Barenboim with a conductor while he's on the piano? In Chicago I'm sure you get to see some big names. (New Orleans not much ever comes this way). If you get a chance check the CSO schedule for Hillary Hahn, not to be missed. If anyone reads this, and does get to see or has seen Miss Hahn's performance, please post a review(start a new thread). Yes Pletnev on the Rachmaninov #1 Paganini Theme is "different", very fast playing, very accurate rendition. I'll certainly give his Mussorgsky a listen. I think on Chopin though, I have to go with Pollini, Perahia, Ashkanazy, in that order.