Beethoven Piano Your resource for the piano music of Ludwig van Beethoven

asin: B0001RVQM8 binding: Audio CD list price: $6.98 USD amazon price: $5.97 USD

Biss, who has been getting much attention in the American music world, makes his recording debut at the age of 23 with a challenging program. He wisely places the Beethoven Fantasy first. To many listeners, this unfamiliar piece, written in the style of an improvisation, will be an arresting introduction to the program. To those familiar with the music, Biss's compelling intensity will demonstrate his credentials: here is a pianist with something to say. Competition in the other two works is stronger, and you can't say Biss blows it away. But his Schumann is strongly and expressively played, with almost the ultimate amount of contrast you want in this wild music. The Beethoven Sonata, performed here with all the necessary repeats, has been recorded by dozens of famous pianists. Biss is already somewhere in the top echelon, bringing drama and excitement to the music. Someday he may play the finale even more powerfully, but he already causes plenty of tingles. At EMI's "Debut" series super-bargain price, this disc would be worth having even if all you want is the Beethoven Fantasy. --Leslie Gerber

asin: B00000GV4A binding: Audio CD list price: $7.99 USD amazon price: $31.25 USD

As a preteen, Kissin had a technique most pianists would envy. His solo recordings since have revealed a predilection for Schumann's music, each showing signs of greater interpretive maturity. Now, he uses a combination of great abandon and even greater control to produce a stunning performance of Kreisleriana. The piece is one of the last of Schumann's quixotically titled piano works consisting of generously scaled, poetic movements (eight, in this case) in which technical prowess is absolutely necessary in order to clarify the textures but hardly sufficient to deliver the full expressiveness of this lovely music. Busoni's virtuosic Bach transcription is played with great imagination, and Beethoven's delightful Op. 129 is as wittily performed as it is written. --Paul Turok