Search - Sergei Rachmaninoff, Claudio Abbado, London Symphony Orchestra :: Piano Concerto 3

My New Favorite Rach 3

Cory Nowosiadly | New York, NY | 03/24/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the notoriously difficult to obtain Rach 3 as played by Lazar Berman, but it is most definitely worth the trouble (I would recommend trying to find it elsewhere though, at the moment it costs $60 used on Amazon). I have two Horowitz versions, Argerich, Andsnes, Gilels, Volodos, Kissin, Bronfman, Kocsis, Rachmaninoff himself, Gutierrez, Cliburn, and 2 Ashkenazy versions (I am obsessed with this concerto). This one is my favorite, with Argerich and Bronfman following fairly close behind.



Berman's playing is never lacking in technique and his tone is glorious: never a harsh sound. The cadenza is the heavy, chordal ossia, and it is epic. I have never heard a Rach 3 cadenza like this; the tempo and dynamics are perfect (throughout the concerto, not just here). His tempi are pretty broad in the first two movements and then typical in the third. I'm someone who usually feels that broad tempi make the piece feel like it's dragging, but Berman never allows that to happen. I never felt like it should have been faster, no matter how much I love Argerich's blazingly fast interpretation.



As usual, Abbado's accompaniment is superb.



SONY, or any label, PLEASE RE-ISSUE THIS!!!"

Superb rendition of the mighty Rach 3

Robert Turnbull | Perth, WA | 02/23/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have many versions of this great concerto. My first ever exposure to this work was a recording by Witold Malcuzynski that I have now acquired on CD. Since the 1960s I have collected recordings by many great pianists including Bronfman, Glemser, Ashkenazy (*2), Janis, Gilels, Vasary, Horowitz (*2), Lympany, Gieseking, Helfgott, de Larrocha, Rachmaninoff, Wild, Kapell, Bolet, Argerich, Malcuzynski - and just when I thought I'd heard all the Rach 3 had to say, along comes this sublime recording by the late great Lazar Berman. The playing is clear, romantic, musically intelligent, exciting and enjoyable and satisfying in every way. Claudio Abbado and the LSO accompany Berman in a sensitive and balanced manner. All in all this is simply a magnificent performance and I would recommend it to all those who love the music of Rachmaninoff and this wonderful concerto in particular. Five stars from me!"

Finally

A MUSIC FAN | USA | 10/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Finally this legenday performance is re-released on Japan Sony label. I recommend this to everyone who loves piano music. Berman conquers."