Rachmaninov's Chamber Music

[MN Dave]

I have the Borodin Trio on Chandos sounding a bit underwater but good nonetheless. I sampled the Beaux Arts Trio on iTunes and REALLY liked that but it was not an iTunes Plus album, so I didn't purchase it.

What is your favorite recording of this piece?

[jwinter]

For the Beaux Arts (that's what I have on CD, and I like it a lot), you could try Amazon's MP3 downloads here, $9.49 for the album (vs $33.99 for the CD!):

http://www.amazon.com/Rachmaninoff-Elegiac-Piano-Serge-Rachmaninov/dp/B0000040YO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1202312641&sr=1-3

They're 256kps VBR MP3s, and sound great.  The installer automatically downloads them and imports them into iTunes for you, easy as pie.  I've picked up a few things from them recently; a few days ago I got Blomstedt's Dresden Schubert cycle, and am quite happy with it.  They're worth checking out, as they sometimes have items which are otherwise OOP.

[MN Dave]

For the Beaux Arts (that's what I have on CD, and I like it a lot), you could try Amazon's MP3 downloads here, $9.49 for the album (vs $33.99 for the CD!):

http://www.amazon.com/Rachmaninoff-Elegiac-Piano-Serge-Rachmaninov/dp/B0000040YO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1202312641&sr=1-3

They're 256kps VBR MP3s, and sound great.  The installer automatically downloads them and imports them into iTunes for you, easy as pie.  I've picked up a few things from them recently; a few days ago I got Blomstedt's Dresden Schubert cycle, and am quite happy with it.  They're worth checking out, as they sometimes have items which are otherwise OOP.

Thanks, j. Does that installer work with a Mac?

[jwinter]

Yes, see here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/dmusic/help/faq.html/ref=sv_dmusic_0/104-1697026-7498361#download

[johnQpublic]

I have the Hyperion recording.

I can't relate it to any other version.

I know. I'm no help at all.

[MN Dave]

Yes, see here:

Thanks, man.

[MN Dave]

I have the Hyperion recording.

I can't relate it to any other version.

I know. I'm no help at all.

Do you listen to it often?

[Brian]

I love this work! A very compact expression of a lot of the young Rachmaninov's future career. He concocted a terrific piano part, unsurprisingly. I have the recent Naxos disc, and while the violinist's tone is not so much to my taste (a touch "bright" thanks to the engineers), I feel no particular need to seek out another performance, and reviews have been quite positive.

[johnQpublic]

Do you listen to it often?

I may have listened to it a year ago.

Meanwhile if you're asking what I can remember about it specifically the answer is no. Hell, I can't even remember what I listened to yesterday.

And if you're curious as to whether I can find the disc and give a current spin, the answer is also no as many of my discs are in storage.

See, I'm worthless as to your interest in the Rach Trio. 

[MN Dave]

See, I'm worthless as to your interest in the Rach Trio. 

Go back to whatever it is you do then.

[Kuhlau]

In the opinions of those who've heard at least two or three versions of this work, which trio brings it off best? I have only the Grohovski, Wulfson and Yablonsky recording on Naxos. Enjoyable enough, but I'm now keen to hear other performers.

Many thanks in advance.

FK

[DFO]

Oistrakh Trio
Kogan-Luzanov-Svetlanov
Moscow Trio

[Kuhlau]

DFO, of these three, which is your favourite and why?

(And thanks for responding. )

FK

[SonicMan46]

And some Rach Chamber Works which often seem 'off' his radar of appreciation but excellent music on the Naxos label - CLICK on the images for comments, if interested! 

[chankaiming]

I have to recommend Simon Trpceski once again, this is piano playing in most exciting and romantic manner, recording are top notch, the music are best output from Rachmaninov.

Rachmaninov's Cello work are delightful tuneful work, the Naxos Disc mention is in my bedroom and it can put my baby to sleep even when he is a newborn.

Rachmaninov Piano trio is another wonderful work, but I would recommend the version by Borodin Trio.

Some more information here:
http://hk.myblog.yahoo.com/chankaiming/article?mid=126

[George]

Rachmaninov Piano trio is another wonderful work, but I would recommend the version by Borodin Trio.

Thanks for the recommendation! Another member had recommended this CD before, but I forgot to buy it. Just grabbed a nice new copy off of amazon.

[Wanderer]

...I would recommend the version by Borodin Trio.

I would recommend this version of the elegiac trios, also. Despite the fact that I find the works themselves somewhat derivative, they're still worth hearing; especially in a rendition full of fiery poetry and heartfelt emotion such as this.

[Dax]

The big D minor trio op.9 is a much underrated work. How do the Borodins compare with Kogan, Luzanov + Svetlanov (which I've always taken to be the definitive version)? Their performance is on youtube - here's part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcSLHyR7zBk&feature=PlayList&p=B11258D64816AA74&index=0&playnext=1

[Dax]

The big D minor trio op.9 is a much underrated work. How do the Borodins compare with Kogan, Luzanov + Svetlanov (which I've always taken to be the definitive version)? Their performance is on youtube - here's part 1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcSLHyR7zBk&feature=PlayList&p=B11258D64816AA74&index=0&playnext=1

It turns out that the Borodin's version is on youtube as well as that by Kogan/Luzanov/Svetlanov. I have to say that there's no contest as far as I'm concerned. I've not listened to it all but it does seem apparent that the Borodins suffer from some really unrhythmic playing from the pianist as well as some questionable expressive decisions overall.

But compare the final movements for yourselves:-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEvEN4m9FoU&feature=related  (Borodins)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wd6ZmSzbcA&feature=related  (Kogan/Luzanov/Svetlanov)