Hot Picks Legacy: Gilels Abbotsholme Recital

This authorized BBC tape has never been issued before. The recital is slightly unusual in that Gilels opens with Schumann’s rarely heard Four Klavierstuckeop.32. Gilels only performed these pieces late in his career from 1977 to 1984. This is an exceptionally rare CD and presents the Russian pianist at his best in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. There is a beautifully played encore – Mozart’s D minor Fantasy K397 – which is also featured on this well-filled 80+minute disc.