Thanks for the recommendations Dennis.

I bought the French suites, and another recording by Lang Lang (which I found in a used cd shop).

I played the Lang Lang yesterday while I was working and it did the trick - took me into this meditative place.

Bach, French Suites. (Gould recorded them.)

Schubert, Impromptus op. 90 and 142.

Some more offbeat suggestions:

Lang Lang: nice recording of Balakirev's Islamey (Live at Seiji Ozawa Hall, Telarc). I downloaded it from emusic.

Also at emusic is a whole set of albums called "Rarities of piano music". These were recorded at the Husum Festival over the last twenty years. They consist of live performances of seldom-heard 19th & 20th century piano works.

Isaac Albéniz. Late 19th-early 20th century with a Spanish flavor. 12 Piezas Caracteristicas, Op. 92 is a good set to start with.

Déodat de Séverac. En vacances. (There's a performance by Albert Attenelle at emusic.) I studied music history and had never heard of him till I came across him on emusic. But I like these pieces.

Amy Beach. American, late 19th. Try "Fire-flies" from Four Sketches, op. 15.

thank you ozni torres and rebecca rowe!

Sorry, let's try it again. Scarlatti: http://www.cduniverse.com/productinfo.asp?pid=2187876&style;=classical

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...

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.

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

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...

thanks victoria! great article.

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