Martha Argerich plays Chopin: The Legendary 1965 EMI Recording

For my first post I thought "Why not aim high?" The title does not say 'Legendary' for nothing. This is arguably the greatest Chopin piano recital from one of the best, if not the best, pianists in the world. Argerich, in her youthful prime, was only 24 when these recordings were captured at Abbey Road studios. She performs with such intensity that you seem to forget it's a studio recording. The performances are almost exact duplicates of her debut recital for Deutsche Grammophon - I say 'almost' because I believe these recordings are even better (although both are exceptional). The differences are relatively minor, but include an even more brilliant response to the Polonaise in A flat, tighter rhythm in the Scherzo No. 3, and a few incidental touches in the Sonata No. 3 and elsewhere. The highlight in this album is of course the closer, the "Heroic" Polonaise in A flat. The notorious left hand octaves in the Polonaise's trio have never been equaled for clarity and strength. Throughout the trio there is no loss of tension and stamina. Stunning too is the Third Piano Sonata--its finale recorded in a single take.
This was released in 1999, 34 years after sitting in an EMI vault due to her exclusive Deutsche Grammophon contract, preventing its release. Well, better late than never!

Track listing:
1. Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op.56 (1844) - I. Allegro maestoso
2. Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op.56 (1844) - II. Scherzo. Molto vivace
3. Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op.56 (1844) - III. Largo
4. Piano Sonata No.3 in B minor, Op.56 (1844) - IV. Finale. Presto, non tanto
5. Mazurka No.36 in A minor, Op.59 No.1 (1845)
6. Mazurka No.37 in A flat, Op.59 No.2 (1845)
7. Mazurka No.38 in F sharp minor, Op.59 No.3 (1845)
8. Nocturne No.4 in F, Op.15 No.1 (1830-31)
9. Scherzo No.3 in C sharp minor, Op.39 (1839)
10. Polonaise No.6 in A flat, Op.53 (1842)