Mischa Maisky & Martha Argerich - Live in Japan

- A hell of a team: The legendary musical partnership of Mischa Maisky and Martha Argerich, unmatched for uninhibited virtuosity, now celebrates its 25th anniversary with a marvellous live recital recorded in Kyoto, Japan last November. This is a follow-up to the widely-acclaimed Schumann CD released last autumn.

- The full-length recital, over 79 minutes, comprises three great sonatas (Chopin, Franck, Debussy) and a virtuoso encore (Chopin).

- Chopin's sonata is a tour de force for both instrumentalists, with each artist inciting the other to greater feats of musicianship; sample the slow movement (track 2) for deeply-felt emotion.

- The Franck work is a 19th-century arrangement of the popular Violin Sonata, played here with overwhelming virtuosity and passion.

- Debussy's many swings of mood are well suited to the quicksilver responses of Martha Argerich and Mischa Maisky. This sonata, along with the Chopin, was the first work the duo played together back in 1976.

- The recital ends with another virtuose display, as the players let rip with Chopin's Introduction and Polonaise Brillante.

- Mischa Maisky is touring Germany extensively in October. In November he will be touring Asia.