Probably, this has been done before, but what do I care!
This is the great, grand and very big and majestic thread for the revealing of the hidden treasures of your CD collections. That is, unknown or little known recordings, preferably historical (Yes, I'm a snob). This is some of my dearest gems:
Igor Nikonovich plays Medtner. (Russian Disc) This is the most profoundly moving Medtner playing I've ever heard. The op 1 nr 1 is beatiful when anyone plays it. In the hands of Nikonovich, it actually plunges in to your soul and stays there, for ever. He also renders extraordinary interpretations of a collection of tales.
Raoul Pugno the complete 1903 recordings (The Piano Library). A hilarious cd, it was made by the Grammophone and Typewriter Company in Paris. The quality of sound is beyond description, it's a mix of glass harmonica and stone crusher. However, the acquaintance of mr pugno is rewarding! I admire his infinitely slow version of chopin's F sharp major nocturne. His Hungarian rhapsody no 11 (liszt) is brilliantly made in true tacky gypsy-style, he really gets the cimbalom feeling.
Benno Moiseiwitsch plays Schumann and Brahms (Testament). Not to unknown, I know, but it helped me change my attitude towards brahms Handel variations from hate to love. It is a terrible piece in hands of many, but he makes a real personnal, conversating, warm and admirable version of this overplayed piece. And a lot of mistakes, haha! Best of all: On the cover, you see Benno himself posing smoking a cigarette. I would like to see Kissin do that...
and at last, not pure piano music, but still:
Alexander Kipnis sings Brahms (EMI classics). This is the way Brahms songs shall sound. Sung by the deepest russian bass, but never brutal: sweet and fluffy like a huge bumble-bee. I better stop here...
Topic: The great thread of revealing your CD treasures!!!