Definitive recordings .....

[cygnusdei]

I guess this actually applies only to recording artists, which I'm not, and neither are the majority of PF members, but ....

Once in awhile aren't you convinced that a recording is THE definitive rendition of a particular work? In which case there's no point in playing it for a new recording, is there?
Unless, the extant recording is from the pre-digital era so you'd have an excuse.

[bob3.1415926]

I'm not a recording artist, but I know this was Richter's policy. He only recorded things when he wasn't happy with any existing recordings.
He never recorded Waldstein for example, as he thought Gilels version was spot on.

[thorn]

im not a recording artist either

but there's a difference between a definitive recording and a good interpretation.

using the example above, with Waldstein; not everyone is going to listen to the Gilels version and think its the best they've ever heard it played- that's just Richter's personal opinion, people will agree, people will disagree.

i think some of it as well is people being afraid to go against the majority. if 90% of people say that a pianist is fantastic, then some people are afraid to say anything if they disagree.

[faustsaccomplice]

I'd put Horowitz's Scriabin Sonata no. 10 up there.
Richter's Rachmaninoff Prelude in B-flat.
Levy's Liszt Benediction.
Hoffman's Maiden's Wish
Rachmaninoff - certain Chopin Waltzes.
Cziffra - Grande Galop Chromatique

many more, i'm sure...

[mikebechstein]

Definitive is a dangerous word in art. Subjective matters can never have a zenith in real terms.

I think the term “Benchmark” much better describes what people really mean. It allows other (in this case) recordings to be judged against a single commonly agreed very good version but allows for the item being judged to be found better (in each listener’s mind).

[jakev2.0]

I'd put Horowitz's Scriabin Sonata no. 10 up there.
Richter's Rachmaninoff Prelude in B-flat.
Levy's Liszt Benediction.
Hoffman's Maiden's Wish
Rachmaninoff - certain Chopin Waltzes.
Cziffra - Grande Galop Chromatique

many more, i'm sure...

All very nice choices.