Recordings That You Are Considering

[Brian]

More Info Here

Oooh, just listened to all the samples. The E minor sample was a big letdown, honestly, and a couple sounded so similar to the Nebolsin (my current set) that I'd probably wish I'd gotten a set with a more interesting contrast ... but honestly, wow, what great piano playing. Part of me sees that the disc is $13 at MDT and really, really wants to pull the trigger.

[prémont]

That makes two of us!

Q

I own most of these, I suppose, and can not but recommend them.

[George]

Oooh, just listened to all the samples. The E minor sample was a big letdown, honestly, and a couple sounded so similar to the Nebolsin (my current set) that I'd probably wish I'd gotten a set with a more interesting contrast ... but honestly, wow, what great piano playing. Part of me sees that the disc is $13 at MDT and really, really wants to pull the trigger.

I'm gonna check out later. 

[Que]

I own most of these, I suppose, and can not but recommend them.

Thanks!

[Renfield]

"Steven Osborne's live performances of Rachmaninov's preludes were greeted ecstatically by critics and audience alike: a new benchmark for performances of these works, and a new departure for this most subtle and sensitive of pianists. Now Steven has committed the complete cycle to disc - a surprisingly rare recording venture in itself. His matchless musicianship has rarely been so blazingly evident as it is here. Also apparent is his deeply individual relationship with the repertoire. This is a disc to treasure."

'A catalogue of revelations on how the Russian composer's piano music should sound ... one of the finest performances I've ever heard from the Scottish pianist - Osborne presented a textbook demonstration of clarity of thought and purpose ... a philosophy which banished notions of Rachmaninov's music as turgid, densely textured emotional upheaval in sonic form. This was so clear it had a rare purity, wholly refreshing the music in all its parts' (The Glasgow Herald)

'Textures that on the page look impossibly convoluted emerged wonderously clear, fluent and beauteous' (Financial Times)

This one has been on my 'hit list', too. The IRR seemed to love it, and I generally agree with those reviewers of theirs I don't vehemently disagree with outright (a small minority, the latter). More so, as I was pondering where I'd heard the pianist before, I realised I've heard him live!

He was playing the Brahms 2nd piano concerto; and I recall how very surprised I was, because he really knew his Brahms.

[The new erato]

This one has been on my 'hit list', too. The IRR seemed to love it, and I generally agree with those reviewers of theirs I don't vehemently disagree with outright (a small minority, the latter). More so, as I was pondering where I'd heard the pianist before, I realised I've heard him live!

He was playing the Brahms 2nd piano concerto; and I recall how very surprised I was, because he really knew his Brahms.

I've heard him doing the amazing piano part in the Turangalila. I'm not currently out to duplicate my Rachmaninov collection, however.

[Wanderer]

"Steven Osborne's live performances of Rachmaninov's preludes were greeted ecstatically by critics and audience alike: a new benchmark for performances of these works, and a new departure for this most subtle and sensitive of pianists. Now Steven has committed the complete cycle to disc - a surprisingly rare recording venture in itself. His matchless musicianship has rarely been so blazingly evident as it is here. Also apparent is his deeply individual relationship with the repertoire. This is a disc to treasure."

'A catalogue of revelations on how the Russian composer's piano music should sound ... one of the finest performances I've ever heard from the Scottish pianist - Osborne presented a textbook demonstration of clarity of thought and purpose ... a philosophy which banished notions of Rachmaninov's music as turgid, densely textured emotional upheaval in sonic form. This was so clear it had a rare purity, wholly refreshing the music in all its parts' (The Glasgow Herald)

'Textures that on the page look impossibly convoluted emerged wonderously clear, fluent and beauteous' (Financial Times)

Osborne has done some amazing work for Hyperion (e.g. Alkan's Esquisses and cello sonata or Britten's and Tovey's piano concertos) but listening to the available online samples of this new release doesn't really make me want to buy this recording (at least not right away).  It feels rather bland and dispassionate compared to a number of other alternatives. Awaiting reviews from those who will purchase...

[George]

Oooh, just listened to all the samples. The E minor sample was a big letdown, honestly, and a couple sounded so similar to the Nebolsin (my current set) that I'd probably wish I'd gotten a set with a more interesting contrast ... but honestly, wow, what great piano playing. Part of me sees that the disc is $13 at MDT and really, really wants to pull the trigger.

Yeah, I got that Nebolsin too and my first impression of it was fair at best. In fact, I turned it off halfway through. This Osbourne one is not my cup of tea either.

For these wonderful works, luckily I still have Richter, Ashkenazy, Rodriguez, Alexeev, Anievas, Keene, Fiorentino and Weissenberg to keep me occupied.  

[prémont]

Thanks!

I realise, that I have to be more specific.

I own all the Ensemble Gilles Binchois CDs, but none of the Musica Ficta CDs.

[Brian]

Yeah, I got that Nebolsin too and my first impression of it was fair at best. In fact, I turned it off halfway through. This Osbourne one is not my cup of tea either.

For these wonderful works, luckily I still have Richter, Ashkenazy, Rodriguez, Alexeev, Anievas, Keene, Fiorentino and Weissenberg to keep me occupied.  

Now Keene definitely has a personality!    Who's Rodriguez? Don't think I've heard of that one.

[George]

Now Keene definitely has a personality!    Who's Rodriguez? Don't think I've heard of that one.

Santiago Rodriguez on Elan. Not very well distributed, unfortunately. If that weren't bad enough, you need to buy three full priced CDs to get all 24 preludes. 

[George]

It feels rather bland and dispassionate compared to a number of other alternatives.

Well said. 

[George]

Santiago Rodriguez on Elan. Not very well distributed, unfortunately. If that weren't bad enough, you need to buy three full priced CDs to get all 24 preludes. 

Actually, it seems at least one of the CDs are a bit cheaper these days:

http://www.amazon.com/Santiago-Rodriguez-Performs-Rachmaninov-Sergey/dp/B000001A5L

You can sample him here.

[Lilas Pastia]

Can someone who owns this set give an opinion before I dive for it?  Thx.

It's one of the few totally indispensable 'collections' sets. Nothing that he plays is like any other pianist's, so you can't count on it to fill gaps, and there is nothing 'definitive' in it except maybe his Debussy or Chopin. But you need it to complement your understanding of Beethoven and Mozart concertos. His few forays into complete sonatas (Schubert and Beethoven) are magical. 

[Bulldog]

Santiago Rodriguez on Elan. Not very well distributed, unfortunately. If that weren't bad enough, you need to buy three full priced CDs to get all 24 preludes. 

That's only a problem if your primary interest is the preludes.

[jlaurson]

Osborne has done some amazing work for Hyperion (e.g. Alkan's Esquisses and cello sonata or Britten's and Tovey's piano concertos) but listening to the available online samples of this new release doesn't really make me want to buy this recording (at least not right away).  It feels rather bland and dispassionate compared to a number of other alternatives. Awaiting reviews from those who will purchase...

I'm looking forward to hearing Osborne's Preludes, I suppose... but I'm not holding my breath. Not after having heard Berezovsky on this disc, among my "Almost Best Recordings of 2005".

Have Rachmaninov's solo piano works ever 'escaped' you? Have you ever been slightly annoyed or uninvolved by the sonatas or even the préludes? There is no shame in admitting immunity to these works' charm – Charles, for one, has done so in public, at least with regards to the sonatas. Add me to the list, too. Strike me right off that list, though, where the Préludes are concerned, because I've finally come to terms with them thanks to a new recording that may do the trick for the similarly afflicted, too. What's good for the uninitiated is even more ear-opening for the converted: Rachmaninov lovers should put this disc very high on their Christmas wish-list. It is a new recording by Boris Berezovsky; not the one on Warner Classics (those are the op. 10 études of Chopin coupled with their corresponding Godowsky transcriptions, although that's a really fun disc, too) but on the smaller and exciting label MIRARE. That label's presentations so far have been beautiful on the in- and outside... and their Scarlatti discs with Pierre Hantaï (vol. 1 and 2) are very high on my own holiday want-list.

cont...

[jlaurson]

Exactly. Never expect happiness (true happiness is rare and fleeting). Human Life = pain and suffering. To be heroic means accepting this stoically, with the ability to laugh at fate.

Sarge

From the day that you're born
To the day they carry you on a hearse,
Life is never so bad,
That it can't get worse.

[Bulldog]

I'm looking forward to hearing Osborne's Preludes, I suppose... but I'm not holding my breath.

Neither am I.  I've found Osborne a little less than compelling except in the less frequently recorded repertoire.  I did take a listen to the Hyperion samples that didn't do much for me.  Of course, they are only samples, so I might spring for the disc eventually.  But there are many other recordings that must take priority such as the Boris Tchaikovsky string quartets on Northern Flowers and Fellner's new Bach disc on ECM.

[Coopmv]

It's one of the few totally indispensable 'collections' sets. Nothing that he plays is like any other pianist's, so you can't count on it to fill gaps, and there is nothing 'definitive' in it except maybe his Debussy or Chopin. But you need it to complement your understanding of Beethoven and Mozart concertos. His few forays into complete sonatas (Schubert and Beethoven) are magical. 

Thx.  It will be on my shopping list ...   

[Valentino]

I understand the pitfalls of "choosing by 30 second clip" (a technique perfected by our legendary former forum member, paulb  )and so I haven't dismissed the Takács entirely. It will remain a version I want to hear eventually. Thanks for the additional words in its favor.

Takács Maiden is fine, but I do think that the gem on that disk is the accompanying Rosamunde. Now Hagen's Rosamunde is one of the big black holes in my library, so until I get my fingers on it Takács is preferred before Italiano. Not enough Rosamunde quartets here, in other words.