The Piano Concertos
The 5 Piano Concertos are available individually and in sets. With the price of box sets dropping, this is a good way to collect all of the concertos without spending too much. Some of the box recordings are also available in single CDs.
The recording of Leon Fleisher with George Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra of all Five Piano Concertos is my favorite version. These recordings are from the early 1960's, but the sound is clear, and the piano playing is downright breathless. The set is no longer available in the 3 CD Sony Essential Classics version, but the older CBS Masterworks set with the Mozart Concerto 25 is still in print. A little costly, but worth the money. There is a new remastered CD release of Piano Concerto 3 and 4 from the set above by Szell/Fleisher on the Sony Great Performances line [also on MP3 Album]. The Piano Concerto 5 with the Triple Concerto by Fleisher [again from above] also comes on a Sony Essential Classics version at a bargain price, and on an MP3 Album.
Vladimir Ashkenazy and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Georg Solti on Decca is another 5 Concerto Set in CD and MP3 Album. This is the Bargain Set recommendation.
Another favorite set is from Alfred Brendel with James Levine and the Chicago SO. This is a live set, with applause, but the sound is excellent, and this is a good alternative to the classic older recordings above. This is a Philips Trio 3CD budget set. Also on MP3 Album.
Rubinstein with Leinsdorf and the Boston Symphony Orchestra give us a classic reading of Piano Concerto 4 and 5 "The Emperor". From the Rubinstein Collection on RCA/BMG, this is a good choice if you do not want to get a complete set. An analog recording, but with a nice warm sound. Also on MP3 at a great price.
For the Fleisher/Szell recordings above in a set, there is an import from France with the 5 Piano Concertos and the 9 Symphonies. A big set, and stellar performances, recommended, but the price seems to be going higher with time, and as an import, may not be in print for much longer.If you are not going for the whole set of Concertos and want only one recording, I recommend the Fleisher Piano Concerto 3 and 4 first and the Rubinstein 4 and 5 second. You really should have the 'Emperor' Concerto 5 in your collection, but the Fleisher is too irresistible to pass up. Definitely consider getting the Fleisher 5 if you get the 3 and 4 set, since it is a bargain at under $7.