"This may be the first time Testament has explored the RCA catalogue to resurrect here the first integral set (1965-1969) of the Prokofiev Piano Concertos, recorded by The Aristocrat of Orchestras, if I recall the RCA hype, and pianist John Browning (1933-2003), whom I heard premier the Barber Piano Concerto in New York at a convocation for Philharmonic scholarship winners. The ever-athletic Browning had been a Rosina Lhevinne protégé, and he possessed a formidable technique but a hard patina in the Horowitz mold. The music of Prokofiev suited Brownings aggressive, percussive style perfectly, where the staccato block chords, interior lines, and even dazzling filigree could be rendered with utmost clarity of articulation. Under the sure production hand of Richard Mohr, the RCA original pressings (despite my aversion to Dynagroove LP surfaces) had a crystalline sound that made for ravishing Prokofiev. Peter Dellheim, incidentally, supervised the 1969 G Major Concerto inscription. Erick Friedman (b. 1939) made his recording of the D Major Concerto prior to the piano concerto survey, 4 April 1964, also with Richard Mohrs production supervision. I met Friedman a couple of years ago at the RoundTop Festival in Texas, where, despite an ailment he led some fine master classes, reminisced about Jascha Heifetz, and performed the Mozart A Major Concerto. His Prokofiev D Major, the one his mentor Heifetz did not play, is a carefully etched, colorful rendition, which owes as much to the sensitive direction of Leinsdorf (1912-1993) as to Friedmans suave virtuosity. " (Gary Lemco)