Customer Rating: 
Summary: A great introduction to a one-of-a-kind pianist
Comment: "Genius" is a word Pogorelich's admireres would use without blushing, while his detractors find him mannered and eccentric. This CD should dispel a lot of grumbling, because it contains two of his best concrto recordings, the Chopin First and Tchaikovsky First, both with a very sympathetic Abbado doing some of his best work with, respectively, the Chicago Sym. and the LSO. The sonics are superb in the Tchaikovsky, which rates high on my list for its winning combinaiton of terrific sound, true collaboration between Abbado and his soloist, and above all Pogorelich's imaginaiton at the keyboard.
Only in the classical music world could a Chopin specialist be called a bad boy. Pogo's recording of the four Scherzos horrified purists, especially for his slow tempos. but this Scherzo #3 isn't slow--it's just wildly personal. Isn't that a virtue in the arts? His Gaspard de la Nuit is another high point; Ravel demands imagination, poise, refinement, and brilliant technique in fast, quiet passages. I think Pogo's version rivals Michelangeli's but without the chill.
Two CDs for the price of one is a geat bargain (the Tchaikovsky concerto still occupies a whole disc in another DG series), and my only regret is that this unique artist doesn't seem to be making recordings anymore. (Can it really be that he turns 48 this year?)
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