Top notch Prokofiev

The greatest set of piano sonatas of the 20th century are those of Prokofiev (in 2nd place, I would vote for Hindemith). The numbering is slightly confusing, as sonatas 1, 3, and 4 are works from his youth, while numbers 2, 5 - 9 are his mature works (and all masterpieces). As a complete set of the sonatas, the Boris Berman is highly recommended. Another good option on e-music is Bernd Glemser on Naxos. I prefer these two pianists to those of Frederic Chiu on Harmonia Mundi, who underplays the percussive side of the music. I agree with the previous review on the inanity of eMusics new download policy. But unfortunately it is, what it is. However, in this case, you can cherry pick individual sonatas, except for the 8th.

Good Prokofiev, bad eMusic policy

Baculus

This is an excellent compilation that extracts the sonatas from Berman's nine volume recording of Prokofiev's complete piano works. This is a more percussive Russian interpretation than John Chiu's, elsewhere on eMusic, though I would give the latter better marks for recording quality, which is rather echo-y and unfocussed here. This triple CD set is an unfortunate example of eMusic's new policy of restricting longer tracks to full-album downloads. I would recommend that someone unfamiliar with this music start with the 'War Sonatas' Nos 6, 7, 8: but to get No. 8 you must download the whole 30 tracks. I already have #7 (buy the album elsewhere along with 'Visions Fugitive', as no rational person should pay eMusic $16 for 32 tracks at $0.50@). So those interested in the No. 8 will likely forego the privilege. It isn't the cost so much as the gross inconvenience, and the petty policy.