Add these eight essential Cliburn recordings to your music library

Here is longtime classical music critic Olin Chism's pick of eight essential recordings by Van Cliburn to add to your music library. Because of multiple releases through the years, some performances appear more than once and with different pairings. Where noted, they are available as MP3 downloads as well as on CD.

1. Beethoven's "Emperor Concerto"; Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2

Fritz Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (RCA Victor; Beethoven 1961, Rachmaninoff 1962)

This isn't Cliburn's most popular recording, but it's my favorite. Primarily that's because of the "Emperor," a work not generally associated with Cliburn in the public mind but of which he was a master. From the first sweeping entrance of the piano to the last notes, he gives a grand performance, including a slow movement that's sheer magic and a finale that beautifully catches Beethoven's playful spirit. The Rachmaninoff Second Concerto is top-notch as well, with Cliburn's lyric gift and virtuosity on full display. Available as MP3.

2. Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 2

Kiril Kondrashin conducting the RCA Symphony Orchestra in the Tchaikovsky; Reiner conducting the Chicago Symphony in the Rachmaninoff (RCA Victor; Tchaikovsky 1958, Rachmaninoff 1962)

This is the all-time bestselling classical recording, and after half a century it still works its magic with its virtuosic grandeur, strong lyrical impulse and youthful high spirits. Kondrashin conducts an American orchestra in the Tchaikovsky shortly after partnering with Cliburn in his Moscow triumph with this work. The 1958 stereo sound is decent if not super. Available as MP3.

3. Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3; Kabalevsky's Rondo

Kondrashin conducting the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra (Testament; 1958)

This is interesting primarily as a historical document. It's a live recording from the finals of the 1958 Tchaikovsky Competition, the one that propelled Cliburn to worldwide fame. On the negative side, it's in mono (although the sound is pretty good), there are audience noises, and the orchestral sound is disappointing, with thin, dry strings. No complaints about Cliburn's playing, though. He's in top form, with plenty of fireworks and a distinctive musical personality showing through -- for example, some surprisingly pensive passages in the slow movement and elsewhere in the Tchaikovsky. One surprise: Cliburn and Kondrashin take the Rachmaninoff noticeably faster in all movements than in their New York performance recorded shortly after. In places, Cliburn's Moscow performance is almost ferocious. Maybe this is what sealed his victory.

4. Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No. 3; Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 3

Kondrashin conducting the Symphony of the Air in the Rachmaninoff; Walter Hendl conducting the Chicago Symphony in the Prokofiev (RCA Victor; Rachmaninoff 1958, Prokofiev 1960)

If you don't like the mono version of the Rach 3 (see above), then this 1958 stereo version, done not long after Cliburn and Kondrashin flew in from Moscow, should be much more to your liking, if a little tamer than the Moscow version. The sound is superior and the performance is considered a classic. The Hendl/Cliburn version of Prokofiev's Third is a vivid bonus. Available as MP3.

5. Brahms' Two Piano Pieces, Opus 118; Barber's Piano Sonata; Chopin's Piano Sonata No. 3; Beethoven's "Appassionata" Sonata

(Orfeo d'Or; 1965-1975)

A recital recorded live at the Salzburg Festival in 1964. Cliburn's magnificent performance of Samuel Barber's sonata is reason enough alone to get this recording. The two fine, large-scaled performances of the Chopin and Beethoven sonatas and the shorter works of Brahms are the icing on the cake.

6. "Van Cliburn Recital"

Includes Mozart's Piano Sonata No. 10, K. 330; Chopin's Scherzo, Opus 39, Ballade, Opus 47, Fantasy, Opus 49; Beethoven's Appassionata Sonata; Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 6; Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 12 (Testament; 1959)

This is a recording of a live performance before a London audience in 1959, when Cliburn was still a newcomer. It includes the only substantial work by Mozart that he ever recorded. The playing is clear, the tempos tend to be moderate and the approach strongly lyrical. Purists might object, but no reasonable person can deny the beauty of it. The contrasting aggressiveness of Prokofiev's sonata and an awesome performance of Chopin's third scherzo show a more muscular side of Cliburn's virtuosity. The recording preserves applause, Cliburn's performance of God Save the Queen and subdued audience noises.

7. "Van Cliburn: A Romantic Collection"

Includes Liszt's Sonata in B minor, Consolation No. 3; Brahms' Rhapsody, Opus 119, No. 4; Schumann's Romance, Opus 28, No. 2; Tchaikovsky's Song of the Lark from The Seasons"; Granados' The Maiden and the Nightingale from Goyescas"; Ravel's Toccata, Pavane for a Dead Princess"; Rachmaninoff's Prelude in G-sharp minor (RCA Victor; 1971-1975).

Cliburn gives a huge, magnificent performance of the Liszt sonata that would frighten away some competitors, and balances that with some appealing shorter pieces (I particularly like Granados' The Maiden and the Nightingale and Ravel's toccata). Available as MP3.

8. Liszt's Piano Concertos Nos. 1 and 2; Grieg's Piano Concerto

Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra (RCA Victor; 1968, 1970)

I have a kind of sentimental attachment to this recording: The second live Cliburn performance I ever heard featured the Grieg concerto. It was a magical span that far transcended routine and proved that Cliburn was musical to the core. The same majestic qualities are evident here. The inclusion of fine performances of the two Liszt concertos makes it triply worthwhile. Available as MP3. -- Olin Chism, Special to the Star-Telegram

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