The young Pletnev

[cloches_de_geneve]

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A bit like Horowitz, only better.

[minor9th]

In what sense is it "better"? It's very, very good, but IMO, Horowitz's version is yet more demonic and has more dramatic flair.

[cloches_de_geneve]

Pletnev's genius is not so much in the fast parts, as uniquely wild and controlled as they are. It's what happens around 2:20, where, within a couple of seconds, he's like stopping the flow time and you have no clue where the music goes. Total suspense.

Of course most of us know how the music will go on, but it is as if he managed to erase our memories, creating the illusion that we are in uncharted territory.

Here he used this charm very cautiously, but later on the suspense in his concerts could be almost unbearable. Horowitz had this quality as well, but not to the same extent IMO.