The pianist Emil Gilels, who died in 1985 at the age of 68, was one of the first Soviet artists to be allowed to travel freely to the West to perform and record. A winner of numerous prizes as a young man, Gilels had a broad repertoire that could embrace works like Saint-Saëns' sparkling Second Piano Concerto and the titanic Beethoven late sonatas (his Hammerklavier won him major awards). His technique was formidable and commanded a rich and resonant piano tone. To get into the mood for recording sessions, he'd often show up in white tie and tails.