Greatest single classical piano solo recording of all time

[mikebechstein]

I think this should be limited to a single piece (i.e. a single sonata or waltz rather than a set of waltzes or a complete set of sonatas. A list of possible choices would be even better as I am hoping to discover some that I have yet to hear.

My fist choice today, and it varies between a few different pieces depending on my mood, would be:

Lipatti - Ravel’s Alborada del Gracioso. 

[opus10no2]

If it's a studio recording - nothing fascinates and moves me more than Cziffra's performance of Liszt's Polonaise No.1.
It manages to sound both perfectly thought out, and completely improvised on the spot every time I listen to it.

[_____]

Although a typical choice, I'm never going to grow weary of Arrau's Op. 111.

[sevencircles]

An underrated recording is Valerie Tryon´s recording of Friedman´s "Song of the birds" transcription.

10 times better then Cziffra´s

[iumonito]

Bolet's Schumann Op. 17.
Gilels' Beethoven Op. 106
Rachmaninov's Schumann Carnaval
Bolet's Albeniz-Godowsky Tango

[pianistimo]

barry douglas - pictures at an exhibition

very reminiscent of stokowski's conducting of it - but stylized just right for the piano.  i've never heard anything to top it. 

[thalbergmad]

Horowitz:  La Ricordanza  - Czerny

[pianistimo]

well.  maybe horowitz playing anything.

[Waldszenen]

Gieseking's recording of Debussy's Suite Bergamasque.