The Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1 (2 CD)

Schiff plays the 48 preludes and fugues on the piano, with the utmost sensitivity to voicing and the phrasing of counterpoint. He coaxes a lovely sound from his instrument (better captured in the 1985 recording of Book II than in the preceding year's takes of Book I), and the experience of following him as he explores each piece is exceptionally rewarding. --Ted Libbey