This is a bit like the essential Piano Repertoire question, but more geared to listening rather than playing. Do posters have a view of which piano pieces they would consider essential in their / for any collection?

Ideally, I'd kick off with my own list, but I'm not sure I know enough to comment. (My collection is very thin). This is part of the reason for asking the question!

Can the Bach 48 count as one item ?

Let me guess - this is longer than one CD, right?

ok - one CD's worth of them - one book maybe.

My list ...

Schubert's Wanderer Fantasia

Debussy Preludes

JSB Well-tempered 48 - (or 24 if I must )

JSB Italian Concerto

Debussy Estampes

Brahms Rhapsodies op 79

Prokoviev Sonata no 7

Rachmaninov ? can't decide

Poulenc Nocturnes

some Haydn Sonatas

ditto Scarlatti

sorry - a personal and very lop-sided collection rather than a broad recommendation.
Some glaring omissions which will no doubt shock some !

Actually Maggie, that wouldnt be too far away form my selection
I think I'd like some of the Shost Preludes and Fugues, probably at the expenese of your Poulenc (Though I play and like them). Also I'd need some Beethoven, some of the late Sonatas (Instead of your Rach)

(The WTC takes 4 CD's so you/I coould only have 12 P & F's unles syou sacrificed 2 CD's)

Thanks Maggie - I better get researching. I have a LOT to learn and enjoy.

You're welcome David.

I'd recommend starting with the Italian Concerto and the Wanderer Fantasia if either of those is not familar (to listen, you understand!! )

f#minor - I quite wanted to add some Shosti Ps and Fs - but am not familar enough with them to have the slightest clue as to which.

I see I ended up with eleven - not quite sure where 11 came from. D Island Discs was usually 8, I think.

Yeah I think its was 8 allowed, and a luxury item !
The Shost P & F are on three CD's. Id probably go for the first group. Do try toget them sometime. Tatiana Nikolaieva's second recording (Hyperion) is best. They were written for her.

then 9 10 and 11 will have to be my luxury item

plus one book of course - choice between Howard Spring's 'There is no armour'
and Constance Hulme's ' Lonely Plough'.

With the Italian Concerto, would you recommend a piano or harpsichord recording? Or is it just a matter of taste?