Symphonies 1-3

At two discs for the price of one, and three outstanding performances, this set offers great value. Most impressive is the performance of the First Symphony, the disastrous premiere of which precipitated a nervous breakdown. As a consequence, the work was not revived until after the composer's death. In many ways, it's his most closely argued symphony--each movement begins with the same theme, and they share other melodic material as well. Vladimir Ashkenazy's performance is simply the finest ever committed to disc. He's just about as impressive in the two later works, though there the competition is tougher. The magnificent playing of the Concertgebouw Orchestra certainly adds to this set's attractions. --David Hurwitz