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| Disc: 1 | |||
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| 1. Andante With 5 Variations, K501: Tema. Andante | |||
| 2. Andante With 5 Variations, K501: Variation 1 | |||
| 3. Andante With 5 Variations, K501: Variation 2 | |||
| 4. Andante With 5 Variations, K501: Variation 3 | |||
| 5. Andante With 5 Variations, K501: Variation 4 | |||
| 6. Andante With 5 Variations, K501: Variation 5 | |||
| 7. Suite No. 2, Op. 17 For Two Pianos: Introduction (Alla Marcia) | |||
| 8. Suite No. 2, Op. 17 For Two Pianos: Waltz (Presto) | |||
| 9. Suite No. 2, Op. 17 For Two Pianos: Romance (Andantino) | |||
| 10. Suite No. 2, Op. 17 For Two Pianos: Tarantella (Presto) | |||
See all 16 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Variations On A Theme By Paganini For 2 Pianosi: Variations On A Theme By Paganini | |||
| 2. Sonata For 2 Pianos And Percussion: Assai Lento - Allegro Molto | |||
| 3. Sonata For 2 Pianos And Percussion: Lento, Ma Non Troppo | |||
| 4. Sonata For 2 Pianos And Percussion: Allegro Non Troppo | |||
| 5. Le Carnaval des Animaux: 1. Introduction Et Marche Royale Du Lion | |||
| 6. Le Carnaval des Animaux: 2. Poules Et Coqs | |||
| 7. Le Carnaval des Animaux: 3. Hemiones (Animaux Veloces) | |||
| 8. Le Carnava-Des Animaux: 4. Tortues | |||
| 9. Le Carnaval des Animaux: 5. L'elephant | |||
| 10. Le Carnaval des Animaux: 6. Kangourous | |||
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See all 19 tracks on this disc
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My particular favorites include the savagely intense Bartok with percussion, the fantastically subtle and atmospheric Debussy piece "En Blanc et Noir," and the famously melodic "Carnival of Animals" by Saint Saens." The TOP HONORS, however are reserved for the INCREDIBLE version of Ravel's "La Valse," easily the best ever. Argerich and Kovacevich just soar into the stratosphere on this one, electrifying the air molecules into magical disentropy.
Why only four stars then? Well, given the wealth of material for duo pianists, I find the inclusion of the Bartok Concerto for Two Pianos and Orchestra to be mistaken at best. This work is a recasting of the Sonata heard on the second disc, and it's a poor recasting at that. The propulsive power of the Sonata is smoothed out by the orchestra, and the added string lines don't really do anything for the piece at all. Better selections might have been the Mozaqrt Sonata for Two Pianos or the Stravinsky Two Piano music. I know that Argerich has recorded the Mozart for Phillips, so I am baffled by this programming choice.
All in all though, you can't go wrong. And at a Phillips Twofer price, this disc is a pleasant addition to your collection indeed!
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