Bach-Busoni, Beethoven, Schumann

By TERRY TEACHOUT

The latest from a young man who is without question Russia's most exciting pianist, this recital disc pairs two romantic masterpieces, the Bach-Busoni Chaconne and Schumann's Kreisleriana, plus a pair of shorter pieces by Beethoven (Rondo for Piano in G Major is one). These spectacular performances--big-boned and expansive, yet piercingly direct whenever they need to be--rank among the very best on record. Not since Vladimir Horowitz was in his absolute prime have we been privy to classical piano playing quite as bold, quite as ambitious as this.

--By Terry Teachout