Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Rustem Hayroudinoff :: Rachmaninov: Complete Works for Cello and Piano

Lyricism of a great master

M.Sand | Toronto, Canada | 08/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the greatest cello CD's produced in recent memory! The golden tone of Alexander Ivashkin's musical interpretation made it possible to hear Rachmaninov's compositions which is full of longing and beauty in summarizing love, homeland and exile. It is a CD which every cello music lover may want to treasure for years to come."

Brilliant

-Ashi- | San Jose, CA United States | 05/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD for Rachmaninoff's Sonata for Cello & Piano, but I get more than that!



After searching through all the versions of the sonata I could possibly find, this one turned out to be my favorite. It's very emotionally charged, the reason why I like Rachmaninoff. Yo-yo Ma/Emanuel Ax's Rachmaninoff, Prokofiev: Cello Sonatas is also good. However, after comparing the wailing cry after the climax (around 4:00 in this version, 4:15 in Ma's version), this version won me over with its highly romantic and fragile voice. If you enjoy Prokofiev's piece, I would recommend Ma's for that added extra. Both versions are very closely matched.



FYI, Rachmaninoff is the spelling the composer given to himself when he immigrated to the U.S., don't know why he made the change, but I'll respect his decision.



Can you imagine this CD also includes Vocalise? There are several dozens versions out there, this one is without vocal but done in composer's original vision (in E flat minor). According to the insert pamphlet, written by the cellist himself, the revision was made to accommodate the singer the piece was written for. This version is a reversal to the original. If you have heard all the versions of this piece, now this is something different.



I would say most of the pieces from this CDs are gems, especially the two I singled out. The Two Pieces, Op. 2 was also a gem."