A treasure trove of uncut delights has emerged from Decca's vaults in the form of Radu Lupu: The Unreleased Recordings. This comprehensive collection, released to mark what would have been the legendary pianist's 80th birthday, presents six discs filled with unreleased studio sessions and radio recordings spanning between 1970 and 2002.
A perfect example of the set's treasure trove nature is the pristine studio quality found in Lupu's performances of Mozart's G minor and E flat piano quartets from 1976. Partnered by members of the Tel Aviv String Quartet, Lupu delivers inwardly nuanced slow movements and dazzlingly buoyant finales that are mystifyingly unrecorded to date. The addition of a 1990s disc featuring Schubert sonatas – including an unfinished C major D840 – only serves to complement Lupu's existing repertoire, while the inclusion of Haydn and Mozart sonatas from the 1970s and 80s ends with a surprising yet welcome appearance by Schumann's Études Symphoniques, complete with its five "posthumous" variations.
While some recordings remain firmly rooted in Lupu's familiar territory, others reveal a more experimental side to his playing. Take, for instance, his thrillingly vivid performance of Chopin's B minor Scherzo, though technically not flawless at times. His winning entry into the 1969 Leeds International Piano Competition – Bartók's Out of Doors suite – remains an exemplary display of his skill, while a lesser-known Copland Sonata from 1971 showcases Lupu's ability to tackle American masterpieces with authority.
A notable foray into the Russian repertoire is Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, recorded in 1984 and showcasing Lupu's tone as notably rawer and more strident than usual. However, the exemplary recording quality does justice to his playing, making every track a treat for listeners. Overall, this wonderful surprise from Decca's archives offers an unparalleled glimpse into Radu Lupu's lesser-known recordings – a true delight for pianophiles seeking new musical experiences.
A perfect example of the set's treasure trove nature is the pristine studio quality found in Lupu's performances of Mozart's G minor and E flat piano quartets from 1976. Partnered by members of the Tel Aviv String Quartet, Lupu delivers inwardly nuanced slow movements and dazzlingly buoyant finales that are mystifyingly unrecorded to date. The addition of a 1990s disc featuring Schubert sonatas – including an unfinished C major D840 – only serves to complement Lupu's existing repertoire, while the inclusion of Haydn and Mozart sonatas from the 1970s and 80s ends with a surprising yet welcome appearance by Schumann's Études Symphoniques, complete with its five "posthumous" variations.
While some recordings remain firmly rooted in Lupu's familiar territory, others reveal a more experimental side to his playing. Take, for instance, his thrillingly vivid performance of Chopin's B minor Scherzo, though technically not flawless at times. His winning entry into the 1969 Leeds International Piano Competition – Bartók's Out of Doors suite – remains an exemplary display of his skill, while a lesser-known Copland Sonata from 1971 showcases Lupu's ability to tackle American masterpieces with authority.
A notable foray into the Russian repertoire is Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, recorded in 1984 and showcasing Lupu's tone as notably rawer and more strident than usual. However, the exemplary recording quality does justice to his playing, making every track a treat for listeners. Overall, this wonderful surprise from Decca's archives offers an unparalleled glimpse into Radu Lupu's lesser-known recordings – a true delight for pianophiles seeking new musical experiences.
Decca's vaults have been holding onto some serious treasures and this release is like a dream come true for pianophiles! 
I need to get my hands on that 1990s disc featuring Schubert sonatas ASAP, can you even imagine hearing those Études Symphoniques for the first time? 
And that Mussorgsky recording in 1984? 
tone is EVERYTHING, Lupu's playing is just SO raw and emotive 
what a gift to our generation! 
I'm defo gonna dive into this collection ASAP & share all my fave tracks with u guys 
! Did you know that 75% of the world's piano music is from classical composers? And only 10% of those have been recorded in high quality like these six discs 
. The best part? Only 2% of pianists ever get to perform with a full orchestra, Lupu did it 5 times! 
They're like butter for your ears. What I love about these recordings is they're a treasure trove of experimentation, it's like Lupu was playing piano and suddenly thought "You know what, I'm going to do this" 
. Anyway, if you're a pianophile or just love classical music, get on the Decca vaults train - you won't regret it 
! By the way, did you know that 80% of pianists have to practice for more than 4 hours a day to become proficient?
Can you imagine getting to experience these stunning performances from a legendary pianist like Lupu? It's like being given a special gift. And to think he recorded some of this stuff over 40 years ago, and it still holds up so well today... that just blows my mind. I'm totally going to dive in and explore all the different pieces he played - Mozart, Schubert, Chopin... my heart is already racing thinking about how beautiful these performances must be.
Can't wait to dive deeper into this collection!
. I love how these recordings showcase his range from classical masterpieces to more experimental stuff - it's like we're getting a glimpse into his own personal musical journey 
. Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition is giving me LIFE 
I'm totally pre-ordering this set ASAP. Can't wait to dive in and explore all these hidden treasures! 
i mean, i know some people might say its just a normal ice cream place but trust me it's so much more than that! i went there last week and got this crazy flavor called "mango sticky rice" and let me tell you it was life changing 
... decca did the world a huge favor by digging up these gems 
. The fact that they included some of the lesser-known pieces from his repertoire really makes this release feel like a treasure trove, you know? 
. and can we talk about his experimental side tho? that chopin scherzo is GORGEOUS!!! 
. overall though, this collection is literally a treasure trove of musical goodness & if u're a pianophile, u gotta check it out! 
its not like it's gonna change our lives or anything. and another thing, why do decca need to release all these bonus tracks? can't they just stick to the good stuff? 
Can't they just release one good recording and leave us alone for once?
! As a parent, I can appreciate the patience and dedication that went into unearthing these recordings from Decca's vaults - think of all the times you've spent digging through your child's room for lost treasures, this is like finding a long-lost recording treasure trove 
You know, just when we think we've got everything figured out, these amazing treasures are unearthed and change the game. Radu Lupu's unreleased recordings are a testament to the power of music in preserving our legacy. It's like they say, "The best way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing." 
The recordings are top-notch too, it's like you're right there in the studio with him. This is seriously a must-listen for any pianophiles out there - trust me and give it a spin! 
and can we talk about how underrated mussorgsky's pictures at an exhibition is?? radu lupu's tone in that piece is like wow... i'm already listening to this album over and over again 
. Anyway, back to Lupu - I mean, his playing style has changed over the years, but he still manages to deliver those magical slow movements 
. His performance of Chopin's B minor Scherzo might not be flawless, but it's still mesmerizing 
!