It looks like you've already discovered the Goldberg Variations. Which Glenn Gould performance do you have? The 1955 and the 1980 are pretty different, but each are amazing in their own way.

Gould's recording of the Bach Toccatas is amazing. http://www.amazon.com/Bach-7-Toccatas-BWV-910-916/dp/B0000028NM/ref=sr_1...

And of course Bach's Well Tempered Clavier, books I and II. There's enough there for a lifetime.
http://www.amazon.com/Glenn-Gould-Bach-Well-Tempered-Clavier/dp/B0000028...
http://www.amazon.com/Glenn-Gould-Bach-Well-Tempered-Clavier/dp/B0000028...

Other than that, Brendel playing Beethoven's Diabelli Variations is pretty great. http://www.amazon.com/Beethoven-Diabelli-Variationen/dp/B00000412C/ref=s...

If you like vocal music, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau's recording of Schumann's Dichterliebe with Alfred Brendel is kind of great. It might be worth listening to even if you're not a big fan of vocal music. http://www.amazon.com/Schumann-Liederkries-Op-39-Dichterliebe-Op-48/dp/B...

thanks a lot, Jason.

I have the 1955 version of the Goldberg Variations. I've heard the 1980 but i prefer the older one.

I will take you up on the toccatas, the well-tempered clavier, and brendel playing beethoven. I find it harder to listen to vocal music while i'm working because somehow the words interrupt my thought processes.

have you heard ylang ylang by any chance? i read so much about him and am tempted to buy something by him but i'm not sure what.

thanks a lot, Jason.

I have the 1955 version of the Goldberg Variations. I've heard the 1980 but i prefer the older one.

I will take you up on the toccatas, the well-tempered clavier, and brendel playing beethoven. I find it harder to listen to vocal music while i'm working because somehow the words interrupt my thought processes.

have you heard ylang ylang by any chance? i read so much about him and am tempted to buy something by him but i'm not sure what.

Hi Darya

I've been mulling this over since you posted your blog, because I tend to go for composer first artist second so I can't recommend a particular recording - and I also love tumultuous and wrenching music. But I remembered a Ravel piece I came across called 'Le Tombeau de Couperin': http://www.dilettantemusic.com/music/18205/work/overview that I though you might like.

If you do listen to it I'd be interested to know what you think,

Victoria

I've just come across this article and thought you might find it useful:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/dec/15/classical-pianists-music-alf... Victoria

thanks victoria! great article.

re the guardian piece, we saw mitsuko uchida at the royal festival hall a few months ago - she was great. i've also heard andras schiff is really good. have you heard him? as for goldberg variations, i've been listening to simone dinnerstein's performance over the past few days - very good...

Hi there - sounds like you're getting lots of helpful and insightful advice! Great! What a fantastic site to enable all this shared knowledge.
I watched (and was enthralled by ) a recent French film, 'The beat that my heart skipped' - and then went to try and find a decent recording of Bach Toccatas for piano. The E minor for featured heavily. Angela Hewitt takes some beating on most Bach, but her recording of the E minor was faster than on this film soundtrack so I may keep looking! I love Schiff's 48, and early recordings of Ashkenazy (Rachmaninov), Richter (Cesar Franck Violin Sonata with David Oistrakh), also Martha Argerich Bach Cello Sonatas with Mischa Maisky, or her Rach 3 Conc or Bach French Suites. The Labeque sisters poulenc double piano concerto is out of this world. John Ogdon's Messiaen is fab, and his piano duets with his wife are lovely.There's also Shura Cherkassky's early Schumann conc recording to compare with Murray Perahia. That's all my favourites for now. Except perhaps for Peter Katin's Chopin preludes/noctures. enjoy! Best wishes Rebecca Rowe

Hi Darya. I thought I might suggest five albums that cover the major periods of classical music. My main consideration is the music, but that by no means implies that the performances are lackluster. I'll also try to get you the most for your money.

1. Domenico Scarlatti: An Italian working in the Spanish court during the 1600's. He composed hundreds of small pieces that are now called sonatas. They are wonderful gems sure to delight. http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?ordertag=Workrecom3694-279...

2. Wolfgang Mozart: These sonatas range from pleasant to pleasant & meaningful, but always worth a listen. Feel free to get just some of them, although I think the set recommended is a pretty good bargain, and Uchida is a great Mozart player. http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=57509

3. Felix Mendelssohn: A whiz kid just like Mozart, Mendelssohn composer some charming music. No storm and stress here really - just the impression of such things. His "Songs without Words" are beauties and this recording is the one to have. http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=3844

4. Franz Liszt: Although his music might be a little more tumultuous, the Years of Pilgrimage series have some lovely, sunnier music. And I think you know the pianist. http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=4167

5. Erik Satie: You can't have a piano list without the French. Although both Debussy and Ravel are composers you should look into, I will recommend the weirdo, Satie. His pieces are short and quirky with strange names. But there are also beautiful, still works like the 'Gymnopedies', so I think you are in for a treat.

The piano has a vast repertoire and I think it is great that you are taking it in. Let me know when you are ready for another batch.

Here is the recommendation for the Satie: http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=987 and here is the Scarlatti: http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?ordertag=Workrecom3694-279...