The pianist Emil Gilels, who died in 1985 aged 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.