Discovered Treasures

The material for this album was recorded from 1962-1972, but not released until 1992. Horowitz was a perfectionist when it came to programming albums and recitals, and generally recorded more than was needed for an album--this CD contains the extra material. The performances are uniformly outstanding.

Each of the six Scarlatti Sonatas are performed with Horowitz' usual clarity, technical prowess, and charm.  Horowitz "floats" the theme of the Bach-Busoni Chorale Prelude in a way few other pianists can match.

The four Clementi Sonata movements one again reestablish Horowitz as the greatest advocate of Clementi of his time. Especially noteworthy here is the E-flat rondo, tossed off with brilliant virtuosity while remaining true to the spirit of the composition.

Horowitz recorded more of Chopin's music than that of any other composer, so the additions to Horowitz' Chopin discography are truly icing on the cake here. The well known "Raindrop" Prelude is played on a larger scale than usual--the rain threatens to become a thunderstorm! The late Etude is a miracle of chord voicing, while the earlier Etude proves that one does not have to drown the work in a haze of pedal to achieve a legato effect.

With the Scriabin, we reach the climax of the album. The Album Leaf exudes a steamy vagueness, while the Etude in Fifths will set your nerves aflame (the last octave run sounds like the Horowitz of the 1940s).

Both longtime Horowitz fans and newcomers to his art would do well to have this album in their collection.