Rachmaninov's Piano Works

[SonicMan46]

Well, we have a Rachmaninov Symphony Thread going at the moment - and after listening to my collection of the symphonies, I put on his Piano Concertos; looking at the discs I have of his piano works, which is somewhat dated & much purchased at 'bargain' prices, some updating is needed! 

Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943) - brilliant pianist w/ gigantic hands, and a composer not often appreciated; however, he did write a considerable amount of piano music - CHECK HERE for a list, which included Piano Concertos (4), Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Piano Trios (2), Cello & Piano Works, and many solo piano compositions (Preludes, Etudes-Tableaux, Sonatas, et al).

My currently owned discs include:

Piano Concertos & Rhapsody w/ Eresko & Provatorov - 2-CD bargain set that was almost free from BMG - not bad, but so many others!

Preludes & Sonata No. 2 w/ Ashkenazy - variable reviews; again, another 2-CD bargain set (larger box w/ orchestral works also available, I believe).

Etudes-Tableaux w/ Howard Shelley on Hyperion - I do like this disc.

Cello & Piano Works - Grebanier & Guggenheim on Naxos; also enjoy this recording - 

So, any alternate recommendations to the above or suggestions on other works, such as the Piano Trios?

 

 

[Don]

This Sviatoslav Richter disc is fave.

Right on.  Nobody does Rachmaninov as well as Ricther (just an opinion).

[SonicMan46]

James & Don - thanks for the Richter recommendation - I'd like to replace (or add to) the Preludes - don't believe that Ashkenazy is the best choice in these works, but there are 'so many' offerings!

One of the latest for the preludes is a recent release on the Naxos label - CLICK on the image for those who may be interested in a review from Fanfare - amazing @ 78 mins, all 24 works are included - pianist is Eldar Nebolsin, who I've not heard before?  Just curious if anymore has or may have listened to this disc?  Thanks - 

[Drasko]

James & Don - thanks for the Richter recommendation - I'd like to replace (or add to) the Preludes - don't believe that Ashkenazy is the best choice in these works, but there are 'so many' offerings!

Ashkenazy, for me, is among very top choices for complete preludes, if you're interested in different takes try Weissenberg (RCA) - clear voiced, dry toned steely brilliant or Berezovsky (Mirare) - with certain poetic nonchalance with tremendous technique. What I heard of Nebolsin didn't impress, but others like it and it's cheap, do try.

For concertos, other than composer himself I like Richter in #1 and #2, Horowitz in #3 and Michelangeli in #4.

For 2nd Sonata I like Kocsis on Philips and Horowitz on CBS,

Don't miss double Decca with two piano music Ashkenazy/Previn (with Ashkenazy's Corelli Variations along)

Richter disc mentioned above is absolutely mandatory.

[Ten thumbs]

I have in my music cabinet the preludes and etudes-tableaux and the 2nd sonata, which I have had for a long time. However, I know nothing of his 1st sonata. Can anyone enlighten me?

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Not comprehensive as far as Rachmaninov piano but worth it as a fine Russian piano collection overall.

The Rachmaninov consists of Preludes Op.23/4 and Op.32/12.

Wojciech Kocyan on the Dux label.

[Holden]

Richter is God in Rachmaninov but for a great set of the 'complete' preludes, try this. Much better than the Ashkenazy which isn't too bad considering

[Brian]

James & Don - thanks for the Richter recommendation - I'd like to replace (or add to) the Preludes - don't believe that Ashkenazy is the best choice in these works, but there are 'so many' offerings!

One of the latest for the preludes is a recent release on the Naxos label - CLICK on the image for those who may be interested in a review from Fanfare - amazing @ 78 mins, all 24 works are included - pianist is Eldar Nebolsin, who I've not heard before?  Just curious if anymore has or may have listened to this disc?  Thanks - 

I have it! Eldar Nebolsin is a young Uzbek pianist, and everything Fanfare says is spot-on - truly lovely, lyrical playing in which the slower, quieter preludes go best. The famous C sharp minor does not excite my interest, but the next-half-dozen or so are delivered absolutely brilliantly. I wrote a review for my university's school newspaper recommending this CD. The paper printed this picture of Nebolsin:



With a caption saying that the young pianist excelled both at bringing out the romantic side of Rachmaninov and in "wearing really snazzy suits."

[quintett op.57]

Right on.  Nobody does Rachmaninov as well as Ricther (just an opinion).

Rachmaninov does.

The good thing is that it's quite easy to find recordings by Rachmaninov himself

[SonicMan46]

Hey, Guys thanks for all of the comments & recommendations! 

Brian - believe that I´ll order that Naxos disc of the Preludes - price/quality of review ratio just too good!

Put in an order today for the highly recommended Richter disc & one of Shelley's many offerings, Morceaux de Salon + Moments Musicaux; also, just to get a 'feel' for Rach himself playing (and belonging to the 'symphony thread), picked up Rach @ the piano w/ Ormandy & the Philly Orch in the Piano Concertos - really, looking forward to their arrival!  Thanks again - 

   

[George]

Yes, that Richter CD is a gem.

For the complete preludes, I like Ashkenazy, but I have the one on Decca's Legends, not sure if the performance is the same, but I know the mastering is preferable to other releases of the same performances. Haven't heard the newest Originals release, but it might be the same, as the Legends may be OOP. I also like Anievas and Alexeev for complete sets of preludes.

For the Etudes, I like Ogdon on Testament.

For the sonatas, one - Santiago Rodriguez is great, better than any other that i have heard. Sonata two also only has one performer who rises to the top - Horowitz on RCA, his live 1981 Carnegie Hall performance on a CD called "Horowitz plays Rachmaninoff." Buy it here for $4.20: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/hendrix.guide/studio70s.htm

For PC 1 - Janis/Kondrashin can't be beat. I have Richter as well, but I don't recall how he stacks up.

PC 2 - Richter/Wislocki can't be beat - this one is heaven, I tell ya.

PC 3 - Remember that thread I started on the old board? IIRC, the winners were Argerich/Chailly for an intense account, Rudy/Jansons for beauty and Janis/Dorati for overall winner, as he finds a balance between his two counterparts. Honorable mention for Ashy/Fistoulari.

PC 4 - Folks love the Michelangeli on EMI, but it hasn't really grabbed me yet.

For a set, Rudy/Jansons is now on the cheap Brilliant label and I can recommend this one without hesitation. Great beauty, sound and intensity.

   

[Drasko]

For PC 1 - Janis/Dorati can't be beat. I have Richter as well, but I don't recall how he stacks up.

Is there Dorati No.1? Reiner and Kondrashin I think.

[George]

Is there Dorati No.1? Reiner and Kondrashin I think.

My bad, Kondrashin is the one i meant. Thanks. 

[SonicMan46]

One of the latest for the preludes is a recent release on the Naxos label - CLICK on the image for those who may be interested in a review from Fanfare - amazing @ 78 mins, all 24 works are included - pianist is Eldar Nebolsin, who I've not heard before?  Just curious if anymore has or may have listened to this disc?  Thanks - 

Well, the Naxos disc of the Preludes arrived last week - doing a second listening now in the office; will need to do some comparison w/ Ashkenazy (and w/ Richter when his disc arrives), but I think that many would be quite pleased w/ Nebolsin's performances - plus, the recorded sound is excellent & the price hard to beat!  Fanfare & Brian, in his previous comments are to believed! 

[bassio]

I second George's recommendation of Janis/Kondrashin No.1. It is great and substitutes well with the composer's own recording. He also recorded it with Reiner.

I also second his recommendation of Janis/Dorati PC No.3.

[George]

I second George's recommendation of Janis/Kondrashin No.1. It is great and substitutes well with the composer's own recording. He also recorded it with Reiner.

I also second his recommendation of Janis/Dorati PC No.3.

I sure wish Janis had completed the cycle. I'd love to hear his PC 4 and Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini. 

[bassio]

I sure wish Janis had completed the cycle. I'd love to hear his PC 4 and Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini. 

True.. what a loss.

Anyway, no one should miss Kapell's second (and his third has its hair-raising moments too .. but the sound is awful - *terribly* awful)

I'll take Richter's etudes and preludes anytime .. and his Prague efforts in these too.

Weissenberg just distorts the hell out of them, I won't recommend him at all.. but it is just another different POV.

[Holden]

I have to agree about Richter/Wislocki but I have an alternative #3 which many may not have heard. The Saint-Saens #2 that goes with it is virtually definitive.

[SonicMan46]

Well all, the Richter arrived, and this afternoon, I decided to do some comparisons - listened to Preludes Nos. 1 & 2 of Op. 23 & Op. 32 'back to back' of all 3 pianists; first, all are fine performances - really difficult for me to pick one over the other, esp. since the interpretations of the different Preludes varies (yet, another consideration); Richter is impressive (although the disc contains a mix of Etudes & Preludes - these are from 1971 (analog) but will be a keeper for me; Nebolsin is indeed a worthwile choice for these works (DDD from 2007) - can't see a major disappointment for those who have listened to this disc; finally, Ashkenazy was probably my least favorite, but all are TOPs; there is more 'surface sound' on these discs (from the mid-70s), but still excellent - hard to make a choice here - will keep the Richter and also the new Naxos disc - now how about the Sonata(s) options? - 

   

[Brian]

Just thought of something regarding the Nebolsin disc - if I remember correctly, it was recorded on the last weekend of January 2007 and released commercially mid-March the same year. That's the fastest post-production microphone-to-market turnaround time I have ever heard of!

now how about the Sonata(s) options? - 

Mandatory acquisition:



Sonata No 2, the extraordinary Chopin Variations, two miniatures, and the Kreisler transcriptions (Liebesleid and Liebesfreud). Acceptable sound, and the man I think will be the best pianist of the century.