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Review by Daland March 16, 2005 (10 of 10 found this review helpful)
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Performance:  Sonics: |
There are several multi-channel recordings of Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto on the market, but none can match the incredible sense of realism and presence of this Decca recording dating from 1963. Sonically, this disc easily eclipses the latest surround versions. The sound - full, warm, detailed and yet brilliant - is in the demonstration bracket.
Considering that Ashkenazy thoroughly dislikes Tchaikovsky's warhorse (this seems to be his only recording of the piece), the result is quite stunning. He combines lyricism with dazzling brilliance, tossing away the notes with seemingly effortless ease. The LSO under Maazel offers strong support, some orchestral outbursts being almost brutal (but without any hint of congestion or edginess).
The Schumann concerto, recorded 13 years later with the LSO under Uri Segal, is no less impressive in sonic and interpretative terms, an ideal blend of poetry and drama.
It is now clear to me that at least Decca can match Living Stereo and Mercury Living Presence when it comes to transforming classic analog recordings into first-class SACDs.
This stereo SACD, released by Universal Japan, may be very expensive, but it is worth every yen.
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