Dip Your Ears, No. 29 (Fazil Say's Sacre)

Igor Stravinsky, Le Sacre du Printemps, (arr. for four to six hands) Fazil Say Telarc Stravinsky, Bach, Gershwin et al., Fazil Say Telarc 5CDs

The loss that is presumably incurred by transcribing an orchestral piece for piano—no matter how many hands—seldom makes for unreservedly convincing music. Fazil Say's account of Stravinsky's own transcription of The Rite of Spring, however, adds to the music, rather than subtracting from it. Bristling with raw energy, a rhythmicality that will convert any open-eared listeners, from Techno to Bartók fan, this short CD (32 min., with a bonus video clip) is one of the most outstanding discs I have heard, period. The sounds and rhythms Say elicits from the piano don't cease to amaze. From erupting dissonances and jostling bounces to eerie and creepy moments, this Rite, if I were only to own one—orchestral or otherwise—would be it. Glowingly recommended!

Unfortunately, Teldec has suspended this release. Grab what you can, while it is still available.
Edit: The recording, which enjoys a robust second-hand market, can also be had in the catch-all Say-on-Warner box listed on the left.