THE TRIUMPH OF THE PIANO is a release from National Public Radio that briefly covers the history of piano music through music from "Bach to Bartok." With so many performances to select from for such a collection, it's no doubt that the choices are outstanding. Beginning with two pieces for the harpsichord by Couperin and Bach respectively, the piano takes over through pieces of the classical and romantic eras, and twentieth century, with something by almost every piano composer of importance.
The performer list is equally impressive on this intelligent collection: Emmanuel Ax, André Watts, Glenn Gould, and more. Particular standouts include Brahms' Intermezzo Op. 119 played by Rudolf Serkin in a 1979 recording, the second movement of Mozart's Piano Concerto No. 21 from a 1961 recording by Robert Casadesus, and "Liebesbotschaft" by Schubert/Liszt played by Arcadi Volodos. In other words, this is not only a short history of the piano repertoire, but of pianists who have recorded as well. Aficionados of the piano will find this to be an invaluable recording in its unique collection of pieces, as well as its fantastic assembly of artistry on one disc.