Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in A major, Sz. 83, BB 91: 1. Allegro moderato
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in A major, Sz. 83, BB 91: 2. Andante
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in A major, Sz. 83, BB 91: 3. Allegro molto
4. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Sz. 95, BB 101: 1. Allegro
5. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Sz. 95, BB 101: 2. Adagio - Più adagio - Presto
6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in G major, Sz. 95, BB 101: 3. Allegro molto
7. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz. 119, BB 127 (completed by Tibor Serly): 1. Allegretto
8. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz. 119, BB 127 (completed by Tibor Serly): 2. Adagio religioso
9. Piano Concerto No. 3 in E major, Sz. 119, BB 127 (completed by Tibor Serly): 3. Allegro vivace

Disc 2:

1. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major ('Elvira Madigan') K. 467: 1. (Allegro)
2. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major ('Elvira Madigan') K. 467: 2. Andante
3. Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major ('Elvira Madigan') K. 467: 3. Allegro vivace assai
4. Waltz for piano No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 18, CT. 207
5. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 34, CT. 208-210: Waltz in A flat, No. 1 "Valse brillante"
6. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 34, CT. 208-210: Waltz in A minor, No. 2
7. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 34, CT. 208-210: Waltz in F, No. 3 "Valse brillante"
8. Waltz for piano No. 5 in A flat major, Op. 42, CT. 211
9. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 64, CT. 212-214: Waltz in D falt No. 1 "Minute"
10. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 64, CT. 212-214: Waltz in C sharp minor, No. 2
11. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 64, CT. 212-214: Waltz in A flat No. 3
12. Waltzes (2) for piano, Op. 69, CT. 215-216: Waltz in A flat No. 1 "Farewell"
13. Waltzes (2) for piano, Op. 69, CT. 215-216: Waltz in B minor No. 2
14. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 70, CT. 217-219: Waltz in G flat, No. 1
15. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 70, CT. 217-219: Waltz in F minor/A flat, No. 2
16. Waltzes (3) for piano, Op. 70, CT. 217-219: Waltz in D flat, No. 3

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #250761 in Music
• Released on: 1999-07-20
• Number of discs: 2

Customer Reviews

The finest Bartok Concertos you'll ever find.
Look no further--contained on disc one of this invaluable set is the finest recorded versions of the Bartok Piano Concerti of all time. The chemistry between the still underrated Anda and Fricsay is scintillating. The slow movements are almost painfully haunting--and in the fiendishly virtuosic 2nd concerto you will be privy to some of the most astonishing piano playing on record. As a bonus, the 2nd disc contains Anda's famous recording of the Mozart 21st concerto as well as some unusually introspective, morose renditions of 9 Chopin Waltzes in which you may hear things you've never heard before. Altogether a fitting tribute to one of the century's great, yet scandalously underrated keyboard artists.

The original "Elvira Madigan" recording plus sterling Bartók
This twofer from the Phillips "Great Pianists of the 20th Century" series contains the recording made famous by its inclusion in the film "Elvira Madigan." And a wonderful recording it is--poised, joyful, satisfying. Anda plays and conducts the Salzburg Mozarteum orchestra from the keyboard. The set also includes 13 Chopin waltzes played with beautiful tone and phrasing.

The big draw here are the three Bartók piano concerti, all accompanied by Ferenc Fricsay and the RSO Berlin. Recorded in 1959 and 1960, the sound is just fine. And the playing is - I hesitate to use the word - perfect. I don't know whether it's Anda's Hungarian background or his impeccable musicianship, or both, but he manages to convey Bartók's élan, brilliance, ferocity, and songfulness where necessary. I wouldn't want to be without the set by Kocsis, but this is my go-to collection.