"...[Argerich's] legendary DG performance [of the Liszt Sonata] from 1972...suggests an entirely different level of both technical and musical achievement. Her prodigious fluency unites with a trail-blazing temperament, and Valhalla itself never ignited to such effect as at the central Andante's central climax. Both here and in the final Prestissimo there are reminders that Argerich has always played octaves like single notes, displaying a technique that few if any could equal. As I said when first commenting on this disc in my history of the Sonata, 'there are times when she becomes virtually engulfed in her own virtuosity' yet 'this is a performance to make other pianists turn pale and ask, how is it possible to play like this?'... Argerich's Schumann, too, is among her most meteoric, headlong flights. In terms of sheer brilliance she leaves all others standing yet, amazingly, still allows us fleeting glimpses of Eusebius (the poetic dreamer in Schumann, and one of his most dearly cherished fictions). The Brahms and Liszt Rhapsodies, taken from Argerich's very first 1963 DG disc, are among the most incandescent yet refined on record..." -- Bryce Morrison, Gramophone [2/1993, reviewing DG 437252]

"Her mercurial playing, in which extremes of speed, clarity, and color are often combined to an almost unprecedented degree, is admittedly not to everyone's taste—though it usually is to mine... Chopin's Prelude, op. 45, is as perfectly poised and beautifully sung as you are likely to hear on records; and the Preludes, op. 28, contain many amazing moments (Nos. 16 and 24, above all!)... The Scherzo No. 2 and Polonaise-fantasie are magnificently interpreted throughout, and her magical way with the mazurkas will surely win over those who might think that Argerich is simply a pianist's pianist. Highest recommendation." -- Charles Timbrell, FANFARE [reviewing Philips 456703]

"...The color and dexterity of her [Ravel Sonatine and Gaspard de la nuit] make them among the greatest performances of these works ever recorded..." -- Leslie Gerber, FANFARE [reviewing Philips 456700]