What's the essential Rachmaninoff to have?

Hantra · « **on:** 6 Aug 2003, 12:33 am »

I heard some really cool Rachmaninoff on his Trio biography tonight. Just wondering what's a great one to get with great artists.

Tyson · « **Reply #1 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 12:50 am »

Here's one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000042HY/qid=1060130936/sr=1-6/ref=sr_1_6/002-9858093-5024044?v=glance&s=classical

Here's the other:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000041ML/qid=1060130979/sr=1-12/ref=sr_1_12/002-9858093-5024044?v=glance&s=classical

There are other individual performances and recordings that may be better in one work or the other, but as a solid foundation of excellent performances/recordings, these 2 sets cannot be beat.

Hantra · « **Reply #2 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:00 am »

It was Ovation. Not Trio. My bad. . .

Thanks for the recommendation!

B

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:05 am »

Ashkenazy is superb in his treatment of Rachmaninov, that's for certain. The Piano Concerto No. 2 is my favorite of his works; Ashkenazy's recording of #2 & #4 with the Concertgebouw Orchestra (Haitink cond, London 414 475-2) is one of my favorites. Still, my favorite recording of this piece is an old Naxos recording by Jeno Jando with the Budapest Symphony Orchestra (Gyorgy Lehel cond, Enigma/Naxos 7 74638-2, probably out of print).

Idel Birit has a nice set of Rachmaninov recording with Naxos that is a pretty inexpensive way to get a feel for some of his music withoug spending a whole lot. I think you can buy it from Amazon, too.

Tyson · « **Reply #4 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:07 am »

The "Symphonies" box also has some outstanding renditions of his tone poems "Isle of the Dead", "Symphonic Dances", and "The Bells". Enthusiastically recommended.

Tyson · « **Reply #5 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:09 am »

Oh, and avoid at all costs the Richter rendiiton of Piano Cto #2 on Deutsche Gramophon - it's "famous", but I think it is terrible. I'm still unable to fathom why so many revere Richter. . .

Tyson · « **Reply #6 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:14 am »

While I'm at it, some others to avoid - Lang Lang and Volodos in PC #3, Helen Grimaud in anything by Rachmaninov, Cliburn's Rachmaninov is overrated, IMO.

Some others check out are Argerich and Byron Janis, excellent, but recording quality not on par w/the Ashkenazy/Previn set. Earl Wild is another good set on Chandos. Mikhail Rudy is also interesting, but more romantic, less dashing than the others, excellent sound on EMI. Too rich for my blood though, I still think Ashkenazy has the best set of the 4 piano Concerto's and an excellent Paganini Variations (excellent recording too). Sorry to ramble, I just happen to have a strong affinity for Rach's music. . .

Hantra · « **Reply #7 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:16 am »

Quote

I'm still unable to fathom why so many revere Richter. . .

OTOH, I have one of Richter doing Lizst, and it is one of the most emotional piano pieces I have heard. . .

B

Tyson · « **Reply #8 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:17 am »

Oh yes, Previn also has a compilation of the Rachmininov symphonies and tone poems on an EMI boxed set, with slightly better sound quality and equal orchestral playing, but IMO, the set loses out to Ashkenazy's more passionate, darker, and overall more "russian" performances.

Tyson · « **Reply #9 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:19 am »

Yes, that is my problem w/richter, he over-emotes, IMO. He just rubs me the wrong way, I always feel I am listening to richter first, the composer second. JMHO though, and I am certainly in the minority with it.

WilliamL · « **Reply #10 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:51 am »

Rach is one of those composers that I like sometimes, but other times he pisses me off. His 2nd Symphony bores me everytime I hear it live. (Just my taste mind you)

That said, he wrote some great piano/orch stuff. Check out the Concerto 2, Paganinni Variations, and so on.

I agree that Ashkenazy and Agerich are great here!

Happy Listening.

Hantra · « **Reply #11 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 01:53 am »

I heard the Paganinni Variations tonight on the documentary, and I was impressed. . .

Thx!

B

Brad V · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 02:27 pm »

Quote from: Hantra

I heard the Paganinni Variations tonight on the documentary, and I was impressed. . .

Thx!

B

Hi Hantra,

All you had to do was ask. I have a plethora of the Rach. When you come over within the next few nights to get your Triangles, I'll have to play some things for you. Since you liked the Liszt so much, I think I know exactly what you'll like.

Have a great day,

Brad

PeteG · « **Reply #13 on:** 6 Aug 2003, 04:14 pm »

One of my Favorites, Symphonic Dances/Dallas Symphony/Johanos,conductor. I don't have the reg CD only the
24/96 DAD.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00005YA2X/qid=1060186302/sr=1-12/ref=sr_1_12/002-7356726-7801635?v=glance&s=classical

cyounkman · « **Reply #14 on:** 8 Aug 2003, 05:42 am »

Looks like you guys have covered the basics. Out of curiosity, I looked for piano concertos: I have Bronfman, Kissin, Andsnes, Horowitz, Rachmaninov, Richter, Ashkenazy, and Kocsis.

Of course, the Ashkenazy is a classic that should definitely be heard. Lately I find that I prefer Bronfman's muscular, well-paced performance, as well as Andsnes' more mercurial reading with the Oslo Symphony and Paavo Berglund.

I'd be lying if I told you that I'd listened to any of them in the past 6 months, though: you get tired of the Rachmaninov concertos in a real hurry at a conservatory.

Off-the-beaten-path recommendations:
The Preludes. Fairly well known, but not too over-played. There are some gems in here. Not surprisingly, I have Ashkenazy's set, which includes the Second Sonata. (Actually, I seem to have two copies--I think my wife and I have both had one since we were 16.)

I also seem to have, surprise!, a set with good ol' Vladi A and Andre Previn doing the 2-piano Suites, and A. playing the Corelli variations, Etudes-tableaux (op. 33 and 45--vinyl, anyone?), the Russian Rhapsody--pretty much the entire second-string Rachmaninov piano lineup.

Those aren't really off the beaten path... How about this: The Isle of the Dead, in the typically rich harmonic language of his 'mature' period, but darkly programmatic and with an irony superimposed on the somberness we expect after the Second Symphony, etc. I have an old, live BBC Scottish Symphony recording (paired with Petrushka), but I doubt it's still available. Of course Ashkenazy has three records out, but here I would go with Pletnev or maybe Davis.

The G minor Cello Sonata is a lovely piece. I have a great disc with the successful Ax/Ma team, which also includes the [much better] Prokofiev Sonata. Isserlis and Hough have a recording out as well, which I'd love to hear.

The big finish: the Vespers--transcendently gorgeous Russian liturgical music for the all-night mass. The recording to have is the Robert Shaw, in lush Telarc glory; one that will place pretty significant demands on your system's dynamic resources. To hear this disc well-reproduced is to hear something truly special.