Who wears that Tuxedo better? Vladimir Horowitz or Leonard Bernstein

On my road trip I listened to Vladimir Horowitz plays Chopin and Vladimir Horowitz at Carnegie Hall - Haydn & Beethoven.

The Horowitz "style" is what I think of in terms of a piano virtuoso. The urgency of Chopin came through when I gave it close attention. It gave me pause to hear the applause of a live audience. The studio recording is what I have become accustomed to and it caught me off guard.

I think I will look for more live performance recordings with some historical significance. Any suggestions are most welcome.

Also, I loved this New York Times article about the Omnibus TV performances of Leonard Bernstein. Anyone have a copy for me? Are these available to view online anywhere?

Roadtrip - Playlist and invitation for suggestions?

I have an 8 hour road trip today to go meet my nephew! I think we will start with:

Vladimir Horowitz Plays Chopin

Emerson String Quartet - Brahms Complete String Quartets

Then I am thinking Beethoven Piano Concertos and Sonatas

I also have Vladimir Horowitz at Carnegie Hall - Haydn & Beethoven

Any other suggestions from the peanut gallery of classical music to drive to?

Chopin and Monk

I heard a great report by Sara Fishko on WNYC yesterday about the great Polish composer Frederic Chopin. The pianist Garrick Ohlsson describes how Chopin was an inveterate improviser, who spent weeks working on how to make his pieces sound as though they were made up on the spot. Ohlsson "opens the hood" of the pieces in the interview, which is really fascinating. Coming at this from my comparitively poor classical background, the spontaneity and openness of Chopin reminds me of Thelonious Monk's compositions and playing, in an odd way.

Cross-posted to A Jeremiad.