The Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3 Review Project

KenL · September 01, 2011, 02:48:22 PM

I have all of the recordings you've mentioned. I like the Gavrilov more than you. Otherwise, we're not too far off in our opinions.

There are a couple of recordings I enjoy though they may not make it to the top of your list but are worth noting. One that may surprise is Tzimon Barto. His has a poetic feel for the work. I've not listened to it in a while - but it was one of the recordings I listened to when wanting to hear this work.

The other performance is by Jorge Luis Prats. I enjoy Prats and the conductor Batiz play with a single mind...of which my impression is that they want a "memorable" and different performance. The third movement usually ends with me smiling - because soloist and orchestra seem to go "all out." It is fun, over the top. I wouldn't make it a first choice - nor necessarily argue that this is what the composer intended - but I'm sure it is a fun performance. I believe there are more than one mastering of this work as one I have heard seemed to have more presence to it.

BTW, Rodriguez has more than one recording of the work. One of the recordings I have is with a community orchestra. I suspect that may be the one you listened to.

George · September 01, 2011, 04:24:08 PM

Quote from: KenL on September 01, 2011, 02:48:22 PM
I have all of the recordings you've mentioned. I like the Gavrilov more than you. Otherwise, we're not too far off in our opinions.

There are a couple of recordings I enjoy though they may not make it to the top of your list but are worth noting. One that may surprise is Tzimon Barto. His has a poetic feel for the work. I've not listened to it in a while - but it was one of the recordings I listened to when wanting to hear this work.

His Chopin preludes surprised me, one of the best recordings of those works that I have heard, actually.

Quote
BTW, Rodriguez has more than one recording of the work. One of the recordings I have is with a community orchestra. I suspect that may be the one you listened to.

The one that I have is with the Lake Forest Symphony.

Lisztianwagner · September 21, 2011, 08:00:43 AM

I've got the Ashkenazy/Previn recording and I think it is the best version of Rach 3 I've ever heard; Ashkenazy's interpretation is definitely sublime, so refined and passionate, full of beauty and power. And the orchestra is excellent as well, there's a great intensity and a perfect harmony between the intruments.
I agree the merger between the piano and the orchestra is perfectly balanced.

Also the Rachmaninov/Ormandy is really beautiful, it's so outstanding to listen to Rachmaninov himself playing his own piano concertos!!

You forgot to mention the Horowitz/Mehta, it's another great recording of the Rach 3.

George · September 21, 2011, 08:03:27 AM

Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 21, 2011, 08:00:43 AM
You forgot to mention the Horowitz/Mehta, it's another great recording of the Rach 3.

Haven't heard that one. The Barbirolli is the only Horowitz one that I have heard and liked.

springrite · September 21, 2011, 08:08:44 AM

Quote from: George on September 01, 2011, 04:24:08 PM
The one that I have is with the Lake Forest Symphony.

The so-called Lake Forest Symphony is not too bad since many of its players are from the San Diego and the Pacific Symphonies and they play in some of the local orchestras during the off season. San Diego Symphony is one of those that offers its players, technically, part-time contracts and they are therefore technically unemployed during the off season and many of them actually apply for and get unemployment benefits annually during the off season. I don't know if the Orange County orchestra does the same. But some of the players in the two orchestras live in the southern Orange County area. It is no coincidence that some of the local orchestras in those areas play only in the major orchestra's off seasons. Other players are music students.

Lisztianwagner · September 21, 2011, 08:16:19 AM

Quote from: George on September 21, 2011, 08:03:27 AM
Haven't heard that one. The Barbirolli is the only Horowitz one that I have heard and liked.

Here's the link, take a listen if you want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5mxU_7BTRA

George · September 21, 2011, 08:21:03 AM

Quote from: Lisztianwagner on September 21, 2011, 08:16:19 AM
Here's the link, take a listen if you want:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D5mxU_7BTRA

Thanks, so this was released on DVD or VHS? The discography for him lists this performance as a pirate.

Lisztianwagner · September 21, 2011, 08:56:28 AM

Quote from: George on September 21, 2011, 08:21:03 AM
Thanks, so this was released on DVD or VHS? The discography for him lists this performance as a pirate.

I think it was released on VHS.

George · November 02, 2012, 05:27:10 PM

Just finished listening to the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3 recording from the above set, with Pretre conducting. The work is played without cuts and the pianist chose the short cadenza. Throughout this performance, Weissenberg's playing is incredibly confident and rock solid. Not surprisingly, he fails to bring many of the nuances offered by other pianists, but he makes up for it in pure excitement. He gets great support from the orchestra, but in the finale they let the tension sag a bit. Still, it's a recommendable performance, provided you can find it for less than what amazon sellers are asking these days. I strongly recommend his Rach PC 2 recording. It's even better than this one. And much cheaper, too.

George · August 20, 2024, 05:18:43 PM

I remembered that I had a link to reviews of this work by another fan and wanted to share it here: http://pianowizard.www2.50megs.com/TheRach3Page.html