The filler is a meal in itself--violinist Leonid Kogan's wonderful traversal of the Khachaturian concerto, recorded immediately after his American debut. Kogan was one of the greats and it's thrilling to hear him in such splendid sound performing a piece he virtually owned. The way he spins out the sinuous opening theme with silken legato over a background of brooding strings is worth the price of admission itself. Khachaturian's orientalisms often sound like music from a B-movie desert epic, but they work here, especially with playing of such caliber. Let's not forget those opulent Boston strings and gorgeous winds either. Only terminal grouches will resist this disc. [12/9/00]