Vladimir de Pachmann's immense fame stemmed as much from his eccentric behavior as from his playing. Consequently, recordings have never satisfactorily substantiated his phenomenal reputation. But here and there, as in the Mendelssohn miniatures [Songs without Words, op.30/6 & 67/4, recorded in 1912] on this disc, one hears examples of the ethereal tone, the needlepoint delicacy of his finger technique with which he charmed and mesmerized a vast international public.