Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra :: Favourite Rachmaninov

Impress your friends! Put these CDs on when they visit!

mr_keiichi | 05/13/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Rachmaninov repertoire has always been renowned for its thrilling technical difficulty. With Rach, every piece is a showpiece, and Ashkenazy illustrates this to the fullest extent. Blistering runs and ten-finger chords are nicely balanced by delicate and subtle melodies. Perhaps this 2-CD set should have been labeled as "The Only Rachmaninov You'll Ever Need!" because it really presents the composer in a nutshell. Two concertos, one concert piece, and several solo piano works -- who could ask for anything more? Okay, okay, so maybe a symphony would have been nice, but here we're talking about Rachmaninov the piano composer.Oh, and don't forget about Ashkenazy the piano player. His command of the repertoire is amazing -- this is a guy who never lets the difficult passages get away from him. Always in full control of Rachmaninov's demanding style, Ashkenazy plays with a highly emotional precision that is the epitome of pianistic skill. You'll come for the Rach 3 -- you'll stay for the rest!"

Moving and Inspiring, A must Buy!

Allan | 01/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It has occured to me that many of the reviewers complain about the slow tempo taken by Ashkenazy when he performed the Rach's 3rd. Indeed, they do seem slower than the norm, but when it is slowed down, much more can be brought into the piece that you wouldn't normally hear such as the increadiable dymanic range, artulation and the sheer power of some of his chords. The cadanza (the harder version) of the first movement is especially moving (many pianists also slow down to his tempo or even slower when attempting the candanza). Ashkenazy kept a steady cresendo throughout and truely produced some very breathtaking chords (way better than David Heffgots in Shine), one could say that the piano roared at some places and whispered at others. An increadiable recording. Nevertheless, if you want to hear the "definative" recording of the Rach' 3rd try the Horowitz/Reiner/RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra recording of the Rach's 3rd.By the way, the 2nd Piano Concerto was also amazingly recorded, along with the Rhapsody and the Preludes.Buy this if you are a Rachmaninov lover or a Romantic... its a great price for 2 CDs."

A Reflective Seat of Passions

gobirds2 | New England | 08/17/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first became aware of Rachmaninov from the 1980 film SOMEWHERE IN TIME with Christopher Reeve. So far this is the best rendition of Rachmaninov's works in compilation I have listened to. Rachmaninov really knew how to reach your heart with unbridled passion. This music and Andre Previn's rendering of it with the London Symphony Orchestra is unbelievably and fervently moving."