Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Howard Shelley :: Rachmaninov: Etudes-Tableaux

Excellent Performance

manu_r | Madrid, Madrid Spain | 07/27/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Undoubtely the most appasionated performance of the Etudes Tableaux I've heard ever, Shelley demonstrates his virtousity and his excellent knowledge of Rachmaninov's music. Don't miss the performance of the great op.39 no.5 is the most powerful I've enjoyed. Also the whole work is played with an impressive mixture of sensivity and power by Shelley. Note that the recording quality is not as good as expected of a 1980's recording, it's a little dark and has a few balance problems (also a 15 khz high frecuency noise at op.39 no.5), but nothing you cannot avoid with a good equalizer.By the way, sound isn't fairly as bad as other reviewers consider. So I rate this recording very high and recommend it to everyone who loves, as me, these etudes. You won't be dissapointed."

The most sublime reading I've ever heard.

Tad A. Cliplef (beachnorwegian@worl | Florida | 02/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Howard Shelley's take on Rachmaninov is brilliant. His playing is elegant, lush, and full of energy. The dynamics are precise. As an amatuer pianist, I feel like that composer in "Amadeus" who drops his head in his hands when he hears the brilliance of Mozart. Shelley does much more than play notes. The energy and passion of the russian soul is funneled through his fingertips."