Marcus Maroney wrote:

>Any opinions on Krystian Zimerman and Pierre Boulez in the Ravel Piano
>Concerti.

I decided to take the plunge and get this disc a few days ago.  I
prefer the performance of the G major to that of the left-hand.  This has
*real* energy and verve, both from soloist and orchestra, and is a truly
exhilarating experience.  The left-hand (on the other hand!) doesn't quite
come off for me - a bit uninvolving, and in recording terms leaning too
heavily to the percussion section.

I can't comment on the performances by Michaelangeli or Argerich or
Entremont since I'm not familiar with them.  Alternative versions in my
collection are of Leon Fleischer (with Ozawa and the Boston SO) in the
left-hand and Werner Haas (Galliera and the Monte Carlo orchestra) in both
concertos.  Despite the excellence of sound on the Fleischer recording and
the inspired coupling with the Prokofiev and Britten left-hand concertos,
it's the Haas which I return to more often.

Jim MacCormaic
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