Well, let's get things straight. The collection is fabulous, the performances all top drawer as well as excellent sound. The violin concerto 3 is one of those under-played under-estimated pieces played here extremely well by Joshua Bell (not Kyung Wha Chung, contrary to a previous review). If you haven't heard it before, this CD will impress. The opening of the concerto is wonderfully sonorous and striking. The wonderful second movement where the clarinets and violin solo play arpeggios several octaves apart is hauntingly beautiful, almost otherworldly. Written for the great virtuoso Sarasate, this is violinistic and memorable.
The piano concerto is fine. Great playing and very good rapport with orchetra and soloist.
Kyung-Wha Chung plays the Introduction & Rondo Capriccioso, and Havanaise, with exceptional musicianship for pieces which are essentialy vehicles for virtuosic display. Her skills make the performances sound effortless, and her musical passion makes these throughly enjoyable and as fine performances as you will ever hear - characterful without idiosyncracy, wonderful playing by one of the iconic musicians of her generation.
Danse Macabre, Carnival des Animaux, just excellent.
The Organ Symphony is lovely, not the finest performance for avid connoisseurs, but a very warm appealing version with a lovely last movement.
Buy this and just enjoy. I did.