Vladimir Ashkenazy's fine performance on Decca with the London Symphony under Andre Previn is a good, though not finer alternative. Kapell also did a fantastic recording that would stand alongside the Argerich as a primary recommendation, but unfortunately, that is near-impossible to find in the stores, particularly in Singapore, and hence is not found on my list. For the highly-praised cycle on Chandos, it is a pity that Horacio Guttierez was chosen over Boris Berman to record the Third, as it does not quite suit Guttierez - his playing is just too showy and treats the whole work merely as a vehicle for demonstrating his amazing technical command. Take for instance the numerous quiet moments in the second movement, where he just refuses to play quietly. And moreover, the finale, taken at a slower speed, finds the aggressive Guttierez surprisingly tame beside Argerich and Ashkenazy, and also wanting in charm. It is not recommended, but the Second, with which this is coupled, is a wholly different story.     [Lionel Choi]

( This review also appears at The Prokofiev Collected Works website. )

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