CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music, Fifth Edition, Volume 1: Ancient to Baroque (6 CDs)

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: W. W. Norton

Release Date January 01, 2006
The CDs in this set are not packaged in standard jewelboxes nor even in cheap sleeves, but are mounted directly atop a printed surface. As a result, when I purchased the set from my school bookstore, I found that several of the CDs had dried flecks of ink on the data side that made it impossible to play or rip certain tracks. Beware.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Bach Edition: Complete Works (155 CD Box Set)

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: Brilliant Classics

Release Date October 17, 2006
The box is not too sturdy, but the CD cases are OK. I took one out and jumped on it repeatedly and it broke after about 4 tries. I think Deutche Grammaphon makes the best. Also, the box is not too stain-resistant (I tested it).

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Bach & Beyond - Gabriela Montero

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: EMI Classics

Release Date September 12, 2006
I wasn't as over-joyed with this CD as I expected to be. I bought it after hearing the title track on FM radio. The title track is, indeed, a jewel; the rest is, in my view, only high-grade "background" music.The pianist is a marvel (and a beauty, too!) - her popularity is easily understandable. She possesses a remarkable gift for transposing and transcribing classic keyboard to "swing" keyboard. Many Bach purists (this one, for example) don't appreciate that, even though we have to admit that a lot of Bach swings, anyway, without transcribing. Lsten to tracks 3 and 4 and you will get your money's worth - they're worth the price.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Norton Recorded Anthology of Western Music, Concise Version (6 Compact Discs)

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: W. W. Norton

Release Date January 01, 2006
I wasn't as over-joyed with this CD as I expected to be. I bought it after hearing the title track on FM radio. The title track is, indeed, a jewel; the rest is, in my view, only high-grade "background" music.The pianist is a marvel (and a beauty, too!) - her popularity is easily understandable. She possesses a remarkable gift for transposing and transcribing classic keyboard to "swing" keyboard. Many Bach purists (this one, for example) don't appreciate that, even though we have to admit that a lot of Bach swings, anyway, without transcribing. Lsten to tracks 3 and 4 and you will get your money's worth - they're worth the price.

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

J.S. Bach: Toccata, Partita, English Suite 2/ Martha Argerich

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date June 13, 2000
Do you like Glenn Gould's Bach? So listen to what Martha can do baby...

Ms. Argerich, you rule!

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Debut Recital / Martha Argerich

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date January 23, 1996
With Argerich you simply cannot go wrong in the world of piano.
There is so much passion, near recklessness and sheer power to rival even Liszt himself.
The Scherzo is so clean and maintains an unmatched pace throughout - yet be not deceived as some uncredibly sweet moments will catch you unaware.
The Toccata is truly devilish and one cannot comprehend how a human could reach such a tempo and yet hit all the required notes!!
The Jeux d'eau makes one wonder who might posesse all these pianistic abilities; from dreamy images to listless moments where languor is at hand, from the most fluid and yes, watery splashes to crystal clear melodies!
Finally, if for no other reason, you must have this Liszt Sonata! I have never heard any pianist ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Stories Of Schumann And Grieg

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: Vox (Classical)

Release Date April 16, 1995
With Argerich you simply cannot go wrong in the world of piano.
There is so much passion, near recklessness and sheer power to rival even Liszt himself.
The Scherzo is so clean and maintains an unmatched pace throughout - yet be not deceived as some uncredibly sweet moments will catch you unaware.
The Toccata is truly devilish and one cannot comprehend how a human could reach such a tempo and yet hit all the required notes!!
The Jeux d'eau makes one wonder who might posesse all these pianistic abilities; from dreamy images to listless moments where languor is at hand, from the most fluid and yes, watery splashes to crystal clear melodies!
Finally, if for no other reason, you must have this Liszt Sonata! I have never heard any pianist ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Ceremonial Music for Trumpet & Symphonic Organ

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: Telarc

Release Date April 27, 1993
I come to this review with great heart-felt enthusiasm to nudge you a little to purchase this Stirring Album to feed your inner soul that is hungering for deeply moving music for trumpet and organ.

I purchased this album years ago, now, but do, in truth, come back to it very often for the soul stirring that only the trumpet can give you. While I (and probably many) normally do not think about the trumpet (or brass at all, for that matter) very much, it is, truly, lovely, filling sound that stirs one like no other type of instrument(s).

Soundwise, there is NO DOUBT that this fabulous disc is DEMONSTRATION-Quality...put it on your system and turn it up, and you will certainly agree with me on this point. And the acoustic is simply stunning...you'll ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Horowitz Live and Unedited [includes Bonus DVD]

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: Sony

Release Date September 30, 2003
This is a MUST for all Horowitz fans. The Horowitz technique is unparalleled, and you must hear him play in front of an audience after 12 years.

I think it is one of his best performances -- maybe because I like the way he played things I've heard at other Horowitz performances.

But, I like all of his music, and a new performance of the same piece is a little different than others -- but all very interesting.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Schumann: Piano Concerto / Sviatoslav Richter

CD-Charts > Music > Toccatas
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date April 09, 1996
Unfortunately the most beautiful recording of Schumann's Piano Concerto was performed by Leon Fleisher and still unavailable on CD or for download.(Listen at your Library if they have the LP) That being said, Mr Richter provides a masterful and lovely performance. This sublime and poetic gift from Schumann lifts the spirit and burst open the heart. It provides not just an escape from the real world but an illumination of what is still beautiful in it. Enjoy!