Pictures at an Exhibition

Modest Mussorgsky

Mikhail Pletnev /

1989

Gil's top choice for the solo piano version. A 'multi-layered interpretation' that 'really does give us that personal sense.' It has 'powerful tone, the virtuosity, the dramatic phrasing,' and an 'extra element of depth, the different colors.'

Sviatoslav Richter /

1958 Live in Sofia

An 'iconic interpretation... recorded live in Sofia.' It is 'incredibly powerful and very intense... very virtuosic, very powerful, but also very probing as well.' Famously includes a flubbed note at the beginning.

Vladimir Horowitz /

1951 Live at Carnegie Hall

'Just incredible,' with 'massive sonority and power' and 'better recorded' than Richter's. A 'creative interpretation' with 'wonderful different shades of color.' Gil jokes, 'who needs an orchestra when you have Horowitz?'