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Music CD - Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 - 4
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Music CD: Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos Nos. 1 - 4
List Price: $17.98
Our Price: $11.58
Your Save: $ 6.40 ( 36% )
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
Manufacturer: Decca
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Tracks:
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1. Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: I Vivace
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: II Andante
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: III Allegro vivace
4. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18: I Moderato
5. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18: II Adagio sostenuto
6. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18: III Allegro scherzando
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0028944483925
Label: Decca
Manufacturer: Decca
Number Of Discs: 2
Publisher: Decca
Release Date: 1996-02-13
Studio: Decca
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: This is the one to buy!
Comment: A number of years ago, I went to the Classical Record Store in Toronto to acquire a copy of Rachmaninov's Piano Concertos. Like many others, I'd been introduced to Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto by the movie "Shine". When I asked the resident musicologist for Rach 3, she rolled her eyes. I explained that I wasn't remotely interested in the commercial David Helfgott version. I wanted the definitive version. She smiled knowingly and took me to a shelf. This is the version she handed me. Buy it. You won't be disappointed! Ashkenazy is at the peak of his powers and Previn does a phenomenal job with the London Symphony. It doesn't get any better than this.
Customer Rating:
Summary: The champion of Rachmaninov's music.
Comment: This is a very good set of Rachmaninov's piano works for a very reasonable price indeed. For those who are unfamiliar with the great russian composer's piano works, from the blazing horns, swelling piano chords and seductive strings opening the first piano concerto you feel right away you're in for a very special musical experience.
Normally, when you know and appreciate what a musician has created throughout his career, there's almost always one piece of work that stands out or that you like more than the others. When it comes to Rachmaninov's piano works, mine would certainly be the Piano Concerto no 3, one of the most beautiful piano works that were ever written, and also the Concerto no 4. There's a certain nostalgia about this latter work, like feelings about a past gone forever, and you can feel this leitmotiv during the whole concerto. Maybe the fact that Rachmaninov wrote this wonderful concerto after having moved permanently to the US and therefore feeling homesick has something to do with it.
As for Mr Ashkenazy, he simply is the best interpreter when it comes to Rachmaninov's piano works. The great Vladimir is temperate rather than romantic, cool and constantly in control: sometimes he seems pouring out rivers of emotions and passion without getting carried away though. He has the musicality and intelligence to understand exactly how these concertos work. He has phenomenal technique, original approach, and his touch is quite fiery at times, gentle and tender at others. He can be poetic and passionate when he needs to.
In Rachmaninov's piano concertos the orchestra plays a vital role, often playing the main theme melodies while the piano accompanies, which is rather unusual. In this regard, the London Symphonic Orchestra and conductor A. Prévin are one of the best. Couple this with Rachmaninov's music and Ashkenazy's interpretation, and you're in for a very special musical treat indeed.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Thoughtful but passionate interpretations
Comment: After listening to a recording of Rachmaninoff's 2nd concerto and hearing a lot about the 3rd concerto, I jumped at buying this CD because of the low cost for two CDs - I was not disappointed.
For me the highlight by far is the third piano concerto, where Ashkenazy seems to pour out passion without getting carried away. This recording I much prefer to Argerich's recording (passionate, but little restraint and thought put into that performance) and even Horowitz's (although this may be because of it's worse sound quality). The first movement is played slower than most other performances, but is filled with passion and technical mastery. I am starting to learn this concerto and know how difficult it is! I was glad to see that Ashkenazy used the longer, chordal codenza rather than the shorter one used by Horowitz and Argerich (those are the only other recordings I've heard) with I much prefer.
The first and fourth concertos are also fabulously played but for me they don't compare to the third. The second concerto, however, was a little bit of a disappointment for me (not enough for me to give the discs 4 stars, however). Because I have already learned this concerto, I'm probably quicker to find faults with Ashkenazy's playing here. If I could put my finger on what I don't like about it it would be the balance between the piano and orchestra - you can hardly hear the piano at some of the most difficult sections. Still, the orchestra sounds beautiful and so does the piano when you can hear it.
Since listening to this disc Ashkenazy has quickly become one of my favorite pianists - as has Levine as a conductor. I would heartily recommend this CD for anyone, but especially for anyone who ever aspires to play any of these pieces - all four of the are beautiful and these performances are well thought-out and powerful.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very good
Comment: These performances are wonderful, and to those who think otherwise, I do not really know another complete set that has performances as good as this. Ashkenazy is, as usual, amazing, and this particular set of the many Ashkenazy/Previn Rachmaninov Concertos sets is often called definitive. The sound quality is pretty good. Highly recommended.
By the way, Vladimir Ashkenazy holds the position of President of the Rachmaninov Society, which makes this set a no brainer.
Customer Rating: 
Summary: The Rach 3 is good, but...
Comment: Having studied and played this concerto (the 3rd), I know that someone as great as Ashkenazy should be able to hit more of the notes in the first movement, especially with modern recording techniques which I know were available in the 1970s. It's still good. I actually think he plays the first mvt. cadenza kind of slow and ploddingly, then all of a sudden it speeds up. I'm not sure I like the interpretation, but it occurs to me I'm missing something. It's a more expressive interpretation than most that is for sure. For another interesting and insightful listen, also check out Rachmaninoff's own recording of the 3rd concerto, although some material is missing and the tempi are almost absurdly fast, presumably so it would fit on one side of a record.
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