Lesser composers of the pre-LP era adapted these works as parlor tunes; many, however, including Rachmaninoff, transmogrified them into full-blown showstoppers, deamanding chops galore from interpreters. Like Rachmaninoff, Vladimir Ashkenazy has both technique and musicianship to burn. Equally adept at conducting, Ashkenazy also has a unique insight into orchestral and pianistic coloration which benefits his interpretation of Rachmaninoff's deeply-hued piano transcriptions. The readings are hardy and spunky, even playful: Schubert's Wohin evokes the spirit if not the letter of Müller's text; Rachmaninoff's transcription of his own Daisies is a dreamy, summery delight, and the transcriptions of Fritz Kreisler (himself a noted adapter and imitator) are a unique pianistic hoot. The original Rachmaninoff works included on the disk bear special mention, especially the Six Morceaux for piano, four hands, featuring Ashkenazy père, et fils Vovka.

Ashkenazy's apt readings of Rachmaninoff's burly transcriptions are a sparkling show-off for a pianist who has recorded or performed much of the most taxing repertoire for the modern pianist. In them, the listener has a chance to hear the unpretentious and ubiquitous sprezzatura that shines in his performances.

David Simmons, WQXR