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***1/2 Martha Argerich

LIVE FROM THE CONCERTGEBOUW 1978/1979

(EMI)

One of the great living keyboard artists, Martha Argerich rarely plays in public these days, even less often in solo recitals. This makes the third in EMI’s series of her performances from Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw all the more valuable, giving us a rare unedited glimpse of her matchless combination of passion and technique.

With works by Schumann and Ravel recorded at two recitals in the late 1970s, this new release is good an example as any of why the Argentinian-born pianist is so prized. Her interpretive blend of fire and poise gives Schumann’s Opus 12 Fantasiestücke a sense of improvisatory fancy while demonstrating that Schumann’s miniatures are architectural as well as sensuous masterpieces. But the real highlight is Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit, a piece (triptych?) of nightmarish tone painting that’s also one of the most demanding exercises in the piano repertoire. Argerich dispatches its notorious difficulties at a ridiculously fast tempo while retaining rm control even during the wildest moments. Her volcanic playing is unleashed in all its glory in “Scarbo,” Gaspard’s final segment, and it’s one of the most frightening things you’ll hear in all of music.

About the only thing wrong with this disc is that details occasionally get lost in the Concertgebouw’s slightly boomy acoustic. If you notice a few wrong notes, you’ll simply wonder why there weren’t more in live performances of such mercurial intensity. Even if you have Argerich’s older studio recordings of these works, you’ll want these live performances. And if you’ve never experienced her playing before, this is a fantastic place to start.

David Weininger