Early Recordings: Mozart, Beethoven, Prokofiev and Ravel

DG’s producers have been allowed into the treasure-trove archives of German Radio in Cologne and Hamburg and have emerged with some remarkable gems: crisp, clear-eyed Mozart (K576) is paired with an explosive Op 10/3 of Beethoven, both new to Argerich’s official discography. This 1960 Gaspard is fleeter, more mercurial than her subsequent DG studio version and is a must-hear, as are Prokofiev’s third (blistering) and seventh sonatas. Much of this material has been available unofficially before, but never with (mono) mastertape quality sound or such fine documentation.

GUY WEATHERALL Read the full review on Agora Classica