One of the supreme keyboard masters of our time, Ivan Moravec's recordings are so few, and so fine, that each offers something to precious to cherish. This Supraphon reissue conflates a live recital with the pianist's magnificent early 60s reading of Suk's suite "About Mother," the composer's sensitive tribute to his recently deceased wife as seen though the eyes of his young son. It's one of the most touching pieces of music ever written, and Moravec understands the value of understatement, finding a thousand subtle colors in the work's elegiac lyricism. The other major work is Oldrich Korte's fine piano sonata, immediately attractive music that sounds more than a bit like turbulent Poulenc. Moravec plays it with fiery bravura, employing a huge dynamic range and wringing every ounce of drama out of its two substantial movements. And as if further proof were needed, nothing better demonstrates Moravec's keyboard wizardry, his ability to find profundity in simplicity, than the six dances by Smetana that open the disc. He gives the innocent little Polka in G minor, for example, such an irresistible lilt that you almost wish you could program out his right hand just to hear exactly how he does it. Sonically neither source really does Moravec's extraordinary tone complete justice: the Suk sounds a bit muffled, the live items a tad hard. Still, the recordings convey more than enough of this artist's personal qualities to reveal some very special music making going on, and they never become bothersome or off-putting. Now, will someone please just set up the microphones and let this man record whatever he wants, before it's too late? Essential for pianophiles and Czech music fans.

--David Hurwitz