Saint Saëns: Piano Concerto No. 2. Grigory Sokolov. USSR Symphony Orchestra. (1968)

Grigory Sokolov won the 1966 International Tchaikovsky Competition at the young age of 16. This LP, his second after winning the competition, was issued only two years later, when he was at the ripe old age of 18. He gives a masterful performance that certainly belies his age. The conductor for this piece is Neem Järvi. He was also at the start of an illustrious career - and only 31 years old himself at the time. This performance was issued exactly 100 years after Saint-Saëns premiered it in 1868, with the composer at the keyboard (and it was written in a mere 17 days!) The presto final movement is a true showpiece of Sokolov’s talents. 00:00 Andante Sostenuto 11:37 Allegro Scherzando 17:39 Presto Details: Album title: Grigory Sokolov: Saint Saëns Piano Concerto No.2 in G Minor and Schumann Carnaval. Released by: Melodya/Angel SR 40074 Year of release: 1968 Orchestra: USSR Symphony Orchestra Conductor: Neimye Yarvy (Neeme Järvi)