This is the very same Horowitz/Rachmaninov coupling that was issued just a few years ago on RCA’s High Performance audiophile series. The current issue boasts the same 24-bit remastering technology, and there is no distinguishable difference in sound between the two releases. In any event, the concerto recording didn’t really belong in that series, as it is not of audiophile quality, presenting a rather shallow orchestral image with the piano placed aggressively in front of the aural stage. For comments on the performances, please refer to my prior review (type Q2099 in Search Reviews). The new release’s booklet notes do admit to “minor editing” of the live concerto performance. Given the many finger slips Horowitz suffers throughout, you have to wonder what real stinkers were removed! Still, for the pianist’s devoted fans the idea of his struggling on despite these handicaps may be irresistibly compelling; it wasn’t for me.
