Fortunately, in Ilya Itin, Judd also had the right pianist for the Fourth Concerto in G major. Itin, who bowed in Miami Beach last spring playing melting Schubert and reasonably effective Rachmaninoff, probably even plays fairly glittering Liszt, given enough time to polish it. But who cares about that when he can play contemplative Beethoven like THIS? Wherever he is - and I know he was listening - Arthur Schnabel was smiling.

Itin, winner of the Leeds Competition in 1996,was remarkable. His technique, while not infallible, is nevertheless impressive, and his Beethoven exhibits a hugely satisfying Mozartean translucence. But unlike innumerable others who have interpreted Beethoven, Itin did not rob the composer of his masculinity.