CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Liszt: Piano Concertos Nos.1 & 2; Totentanz

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date October 25, 1990
Krystian Zimmerman has a talent for bringing to the music he performs a feeling of his having spoken to the composer about his intentions in the music he composed. These performances provide a very moving and rousing feeling of Liszt as he intended this music to be played. He and the orchestra play most persuasively the pianissimo passages with unity and also the fortissimo passages with passion and splendor. If you have heard these compositions by other soloists, you'll most definitely want to hear and own these also because they shine above the average performance.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Chopin: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date November 02, 1999
I searched the web and stores in general for many years trying to find something better... better does not exist in this case.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Schumann/Grieg: Klavierkonzerte (Piano Concertos)

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date November 09, 1993
This recording truly encompasses dynamic range to the extreme. Here we are presented with 4 astonishing elements: one of the greatest conductors to ever lift a baton; one of the greatest pianists to grace a keyboard (and at quite a young age, too); a famed orchestra that has been one of the world's leading orchestras for over 100 years; and a wonderful instrument on which these masterpieces are skillfully played. The pianissimos are graceful and articulate while the fortissimos are grand and full. The technique of Zimerman is flawless and pairs well with his masterful musicianship and expression. Karajan brings soloist and orchestra together in a perfect combination of elements to create a well-rounded recording of two of the supreme concerti for piano in ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Chopin: 4 Ballades/Barcarolle, Op.60/Fantasie in F

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date October 25, 1990
I am not a great enthusiast of Chopin, but consider his Ballades the best of his compositions both in depth of emotions and lyricism.
Hence I am a rather keen listener of this category of Chopin. I bought Mr. Zimmerman's disc with high hopes, being Chopin Ballades played by a Polish pianist that is both young (1990 recorded) and eminent.
However, I must admit that I did not enjoy this disc.
The playing isn't bad at all, but it is a matter of taste.
The ballades are too straightforward in emotions. The Barcarolle hardly sounds like one such - Argerich had a much much finer rendition of the same piece, much more moving and vivid.
However, I think with maturity and time, Mr. Zimmerman would be able to come up with a newer and more profound version ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 & 2

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date February 10, 2004
I have over ten different recordings of the first and second concerto played by many pianists from Ashkenazy to Horowitz. I have to say that these recordings are among some of the most amazing I have ever heard. First of all, I am not sure how anyone could rate this with one star. Just simply by listening to Zimerman's playing alone should make you think twice about what you just heard. Zimerman provides one of the most amazing and fluid recordings of these works and the orchestra led by the legendary Seiji Ozawa provide nothing less than spectacular sound. This is among my favorite recordings ever made, up there with the Goldberg Variations by Gould. If you found this recording to be anything but spectacular, you probably didn't go into listening with an open mind. Throw away ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Beethoven: Violin Concerto in D Major, Op. 61 / Romances for Violin and Orchestra: No. 1 in G Major, Op. 40; No. 2 in F Major, Op. 50

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date March 10, 1992
Barenboim/CSO works as a one sound all the time.
With Zukerman's romantic violin sound, it's a masterpiece.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Liszt: Sonata for piano in Bm; Lugubre Gondola No1&2

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date April 14, 1992
This is a very good performance of the Liszt Sonata that could have been a *great* performance of the Liszt Sonata. Zimmie supposedly spent ten years preparing this work. I believe him, just as I believe him when he says he listened to something like 70 recordings of the Brahms 1st Piano Concerto before making his own recording. In both cases I think he'd have done better to listen to fewer recordings and just attack the piece from his *gut* more. This performance is great technically, with the pianist showing his superbly subtle command of dynamics--some of the shadings are just amazingly nuanced. Listen, for example, to how he handles the first lyrical section, at around six minutes in: gorgeous shading! Another highlight comes at 16:50--such liquid tone. (Why couldn't he have played his Debussy this ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Beethoven: The Violin Sonatas

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: RCA

Release Date November 28, 2006
I bought this CD box few months ago on amazon and I never regret.

I have Itzhak perlman's also but for the most time, l am listening to zukerman's.

People who wants to here the best beethoven violin sonatas recording should buy this CD.

You'll never regret.

Perlman's violin sound is thin but Zukerman's violin sound is very unique and strong.

It's like a presentation.

The viewers are paying attention to the presentation when they can hear clear voice and see a supporting details.

This recording expressed a very strong feeling of Zukerman.


If I am giving someone a gift,
I prefer this one than any elses.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

Brahms: Piano Concerto No. 1

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date April 04, 2006
I've sampled and listened to a few other performances, but this one seems to me to have the finest balance of lyricism, emotional power, and restraint. It's a really beautiful, moving rendition -- delicate, sorrowful, and fiercely joyful by turns. The piano and orchestra are wonderfully collaborative and trusting, and as other reviewers have said, the acoustic quality is unparalleled.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Franz Schubert: Impromptus D899 & D935

CD-Charts > Music > ( Z )
from: Polygram Records

Release Date March 21, 2005
Krystian Zimerman could play these pieces with one hand tied behind his back. Heck, even I can play these pieces (I have to use both of my hands, though). But Zimerman throttles back his magnificent technique and plays pure music. One commentator suggested that the readings are somehow too precious. Well, this is Schubert, and his music is nothing if not lyrical. If you can come up with a copy of this recording for less than $46(?), grab it. It's a real gem.