Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

B-flat minor

Recordings

Top Choice

Martha Argerich / Charles Dutoit / Royal Philharmonic

1971

Starting-point recommendation. A 'great interpretation' with 'lush, beautiful sound' from the orchestra. Argerich is 'in her prime,' 'wonderful, virtuosic, very individual'.

Also Worth Hearing

Van Cliburn / Kirill Kondrashin / RCA Symphony

1958

One of the most famous classical recordings. 'A little bit on the slower side,' but has an 'element... of innocent discovery.' Cliburn has a 'wonderful sonority'.

Earl Wild / Anatole Fistoulari / Royal Philharmonic

1962

Very well recorded, wonderful balance. A 'very natural interpretation... very grand, very romantic, powerful, virtuosic, everything you could want'.

Emil Gilels / Fritz Reiner / Chicago Symphony

1955

'Really fantastic.' 'Overwhelms you right from the beginning with the assertiveness and virtuosity and powerful playing'.

Sviatoslav Richter / Karel Ančerl / Czech Philharmonic

1954

Worth hearing for Richter's 'artistic insights, his virtuosity.' Sound is 'somewhat distant... cavernous'.

Solomon / Hamilton Harty / Hallé Orchestra

1929 Historic recording

Very distant 1929 sound, 'but it's listenable.' Shows Solomon's musicianship plus 'powerful playing and virtuosity'.

Vladimir Horowitz / Arturo Toscanini / NBC Symphony

1943 Live recording

'Justly legendary.' 'Electric... just amazing.' A live recording where they are 'just on fire.' The 'playing is just out of this world.' Sound is fairly clear.