Author Topic: Looking for a recommendation for a set of the Rachmaninov Piano Concertos (Read 7785 times)

JLR · « **on:** January 22, 2016, 06:22:15 AM »

I have perused through the extensive threads on the Rachmaninov Concerto Review project. Thanks for all that hard work. I am wanting a single disc (or box) with all the piano concertos. Or maybe two discs if necessary. So I am seeking a compromise--best set altogether rather than XXX for Concerto 1, YYY for Concerto 2, ZZZ for concerto 3, etc.

I am new to Rachmaninov and confessedly by the standards of this board under-educated musically. This is what I have:

I bought it on a lark in a used bookstore. I enjoy it, but I am guessing there is something better out there.

Here are some recordings I am looking at (based in part on the Review Project).

.

This last is obviously only 2 and 3, but if I am advised that this is a must have, I would be interested in this plus another recording that has the other two.

I really appreciate the advice. This is the most knowledgeable music forum (or really forum on any subject matter) that I have ever stumbled across.

North Star · « **Reply #1 on:** January 22, 2016, 06:35:11 AM »

Quote from: JLR on January 22, 2016, 06:22:15 AM

I bought it on a lark in a used bookstore. I enjoy it, but I am guessing there is something better out there.

Well it depends on what you want the performances be like. I don't know the Bronfman/Salonen, but I would be surprised if it wasn't at least good.

The Rudy/Jansons has the advantage of getting the Paganini Rhapsody and Tchaikovsky PC 1 in the same go, of course. Another set of the four concertos to consider is Andsnes, though.

k a rl h e nn i ng · « **Reply #2 on:** January 22, 2016, 06:44:49 AM »

Our Cato also highly recommended this set:

Karlo (North Star) and I both enjoy this set, too:

North Star · « **Reply #3 on:** January 22, 2016, 06:50:40 AM »

Quote from: karlhenning on January 22, 2016, 06:44:49 AM

Karlo (North Star) and I both enjoy this set, too:

Yes! I don't know how I managed to forget it. Too much time spent with that delicious Decca Complete Rachmaninov box lately, I suppose...
But anyway, the Collard/Plasson is a a good set, and has a larger range of Rakhmaninov than the others - concertos, solo piano music, and the sonata for piano & cello.

Marsch MacFiercesome · « **Reply #4 on:** January 22, 2016, 06:54:56 AM »

I'm an 'individual performance' as opposed to a 'box-set' person, myself.

And, as passion and firepower are my standards for Rachmaninov, these are my Best In Shows:

- Zimerman/Ozawa for One

- Ashkenazy/Previn for Two

- Argerich/Chailly for Three

- Ashkenazy/Previn (for the build-up and climax in the first movement- which is tremendous) and the Ashkenazy/Haitink (for the utterly heroic last movement and the great playing of the Concertgebouw)

Todd · « **Reply #5 on:** January 22, 2016, 08:57:23 AM »

Easy first choice for me for a complete set: Kocsis. He even makes the Third sound enjoyable. Ashkenazy would be second. Individual recordings by Janis, Cliburn, Richter, and Zimerman also tickle my fancy.

Turner · « **Reply #6 on:** January 22, 2016, 09:07:21 AM »

Another vote for Argerich/Chailly in no.3. Should you find the coupling with Kondrashin in Tchaikovsky´s 1st Concerto, it´s probably the best modern version of that concerto too, IMO.

Ashkenazy/Previn is great in Concerto no.3 as well, but very unusual regarding its extremely broad tempi, most apparent in the big solo cadenza of the 1st movement.

Pat B · « **Reply #7 on:** January 22, 2016, 09:30:40 AM »

I'm listening to the Bronfman-Salonen 2 on spotify right now. So far it sounds pretty good to me.

If you do get a set, look for one that contains the Paganini Rhapsody. The 2-CD Ashkenazy set you mentioned does not, but these do:

George · « **Reply #8 on:** January 22, 2016, 10:24:17 AM »

Quote from: JLR on January 22, 2016, 06:22:15 AM

I have perused through the extensive threads on the Rachmaninov Concerto Review project. Thanks for all that hard work.

You're welcome!

Quote

This is one of those rare cases where the best performance (for the set), is also in wonderful sound AND is priced cheaply. I think Brilliant Classics put this set out too. Look no further for a superb set of the Concertos (and an awesome Paganini.)

betterthanfine · « **Reply #9 on:** January 22, 2016, 01:15:35 PM »

Quote from: North Star on January 22, 2016, 06:35:11 AM

Another set of the four concertos to consider is Andsnes, though.

THis is what first came to mind when I read the thread title. Also, do get the Argerich Third that has been mentioned a few times now.

Spineur · « **Reply #10 on:** January 22, 2016, 01:40:21 PM »

Nikolai Lugansky. This is a 2006 recording (fairly recent), with a great an delicate reading of Rachmaninov scores.
For many years I lived with Ashkanasy-Previn recordings, but I dumped it, mostly because of the sound of the orchestra. Too syrupy and not well defined to my ears.

k a rl h e nn i ng · « **Reply #11 on:** January 23, 2016, 01:34:33 PM »

Quote from: George on January 22, 2016, 10:24:17 AM

This is one of those rare cases where the best performance (for the set), is also in wonderful sound AND is priced cheaply. I think Brilliant Classics put this set out too. Look no further for a superb set of the Concertos (and an awesome Paganini.)

Cheers, George! This does look too good not to fetch in . . . .

George · « **Reply #12 on:** January 23, 2016, 01:36:20 PM »

Quote from: karlhenning on January 23, 2016, 01:34:33 PM

Cheers, George! This does look too good not to fetch in . . . .

JLR · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2016, 05:22:39 AM »

I have decided to go with the Rudy/Jansons. I appreciate the collective wisdom.

By the way, when I said i expected there was something better out there than the Bronfman/Salonen, it wasn't because I found something lacking in that recording. To the contrary, I enjoy that recording greatly--it lead me to want another. It was simply that the I picked the CD up in a used bookstpore for $5 on a lark. Under those circumstances, it would odd if I just happened to get one of the best recordings.