I cannot do better than echo RO in calling this stunning, both as to performance and to recording. The fiery elan of the very opening makes it plain that this is not going to be one of those relaxed, gemutlich performances that can so easily end up by seeming a bit lackadaisical: this is a thoroughly extrovert reading which sparkles with the joy of life that the 22-year-old, and still healthy, Schubert felt in the ''inconceivably lovely'' surroundings of Steyr (where he found himself surrounded by pretty girls). Some may perhaps feel this Trout almost too lively and vigorous—and the brilliance of the piano sound at times tends to turn Brendel into a concerto soloist (as in the piano variation of the fourth movement)—but the players' alertness and obvious enjoyment are immensely persuasive. I wouldn't forego my Curzon LP for anything, but this exhilarating performance is one to return to with pleasure. One thing does puzzle me. Though RO complained of persistent sniffing from one of the players, and I count myself in the forefront of the anti-sniffing, anti-grunting, anti-groaning, anti-singing-along brigade, I was totally unaware of any such nuisance here. Perhaps Philips have a super-efficient de-sniffing machine?'