Bartók – Complete Solo Piano Music / György Sándor ‎/ Grand Prix du Disque / VoxBox ‎5x Audio CD 2003 / CD5X 3610 

The best Bartok performer ever

An essential set for Bartók lovers and pianophiles

Sandor was a pupil of Bartok and a great pianist. His playing of Bartok's music is not only secure and technically outstanding, it is also extremely idiomatic. The high level of concentration remains constant from the easy "For Children" to the demanding Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors." Piano sound is somewhat dated but not enough to interfere with appreciation of these remarkable recordings.

UPC 4260242625522  /  ASIN: B00008X5AY

Sàndor, still active at 90 as this reissue appears, was a student of Bartók and a preferred interpreter of his music. Since this set appeared on nine LPs in the early 1960s, it has been the standard for Bartók's piano music; in this fine-sounding reissue, it still is. Sàndor can hit hard enough for such virtuoso pieces as the Piano Sonata and "Out of Doors," but he also retains the romantic element heard in the composer's own playing which tempers the harsher qualities of the music. While this collection isn't quite as complete as advertised (some early, insignificant piano music by Bartók is omitted), it includes all of Bartók's significant piano music, including such relatively obscure gems as the Bagatelles, eight Improvisations, and many delectable folk arrangements which will appeal even to listeners who think Bartók is too challenging for them. Vox's recorded sound, superbly remastered, resists obsolescence as effectively as Sàndor's performances. Even with the inclusion of the early books of "Mikrokosmos," which will appeal mostly to piano students, this set is worth several times the asking price.   --Leslie Gerber