Sergey Rachmaninov James Levine Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra - Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 3 Solo Piano Works +Album Reviews

Filthy, absolutely filthy.

Rupert Stone | Timbucktoo | 10/20/2000

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Arcadi Volodos has a very impressive technique, and that's about all I can say in his favour. He plays the concerto with a naive, cliched and vapid expressive vocabulary, complimented by James Levine's dull and affected orchestral accompanent. Tender passages are played with predictably conventional phrasing, the louder ones with vacuous, dry aggression. For this piece, try Ashkenazy/Haitink or Horowitz/Reiner - their depths of feeling are coupled with extraordinary musicianship and a broad, highly lucid vision."

This is why we buy SACD's

Larry Bouchard | Prospect, KY USA | 01/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having never heard of Mr. Volodos, but wanting one of the newer recorded SACD's I took a chance on this one. Unlike the muddled sounding Ashkenazy/Haitink disk, the strings were rich and distinct, the piano was simply thrilling.. I could go on and on about the sound.But I'll sum up the sound quality by saying that I've never had a more fulfilling sonic experience of any kind than listening to this disc. And I've been a musician and music lover for 20 years. The most amazing thing is that after the concerto the applause comes in. This incredible feat of engineering was done live!As for the performance, having not heard the pianist before, his performance far exceeded my expectations. And in contrast to the other reviewer, found the Ashkenazy the more predictable and pedestrian of the two. (Though Ashkenazy is usually my favorite for the romantics, I'll keep my eye out for more Volodos recordings).When I get home at night from a tough day at work - I can count on this disc to be instantly and utterly transporting. Fantastic!!"

Impressive resolution

Massimo Basile | Rome, RM Italy | 09/10/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a review of audio performances of this SACD, rather than of technical/musical quality of the performance.
This is a fine SuperAudioCD clearly offering some of the nicest aspects of this format. It doesn't really matter if you listen to it carefully with a thousand-dollars high-end equipment, or if you listen to it with a medium quality consumer-type component hi-fi. You only need to avoid boomboxes or low-end equipment...
You will hear the subtleties and the "analougness" of SACD. The sound is rich and detailed and in the low and silent passages you will find an improvement in accuracy. The general "sensation" of opennes is immediate, as well as the absence of the typical CD harshness is a liberation. You will find that listening to this disc is "easier" and more relaxing compared to a a conventional CD listening session.
I am absolutely not an "audiophile" or a "high-end" user, I simply like the good sound. And this SACD proves that the format has some possibilities to give more than CD. If this is just the beginning..."

Everything He's Billed Up To Be: Simply Fantastic!

Dr. Ervin Nieves | 04/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a bit surprised to have read comments from a few reviewers who accurately laud young Maestro Volodos's fantastic technique, and then go on to denigrate his piano mastery simply because Volodos doesn't play like Gilels (thank goodness for that!) or anyone else. Yes, Volodos is his own man. Comparisons to Horowitz are most apt. And yes, he is not as volcanic as Horowitz; this however does not diminish Volodos's equally wonderful performance of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concierto No. 3. If a little less volcanic, Volodos's interpretation is perhaps quite a bit more romantic, and perhaps a bit more virtuosic than Horowitz's (but yes, with modern editing wonders, one never knows how the chap really sounds. "Live" can still be "edited!"). But let me once again address negative reviewers by adding that it is NOT a crime for a masterful pianist to sound "Romantic" when he is indeed playing Romantic repertoire. Is one's appreciation or depreciation of young Maestro Volodos's pianoship a question of taste? Perhaps. But I am astounded by the "deaf ears" of listeners who should consider themselves fortunate to be listening to a truly great new young virtuoso. Comparisons to Gilels are not accurate. Volodos's musicianship is much grander and unlimited than Gilels (whose oft "typing-like" playing sounds, well, like typing). And though I admire and enjoy Kissin, Volodos's musicality and technical wizadry are much grander (not to diminish Kissin's noteworthy musical contributions!). To be sure, Volodos's name belongs alongside the truly great pianists of posterity: Josef Hoffman, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Vladimir Horowitz, William Kapell, Sviatoslav Richter, etc. (Let me add one caveat and agreement with critics of Volodos: I own all five of Volodos's CDs and must say that EACH is a masterpiece EXCEPT FOR Volodos's Tchiakovsky's Piano Concierto No. 1. Only in that recording did young Maestro Volodos fail to deliver. My guess is that Volodos's exclusive recording contract with SONY prompted him to "crank one out" much too prematurely. Such recording pressures has been the undoing of many great "should-have-been-great recordings." Of course, there is the possibility that young Maestro Volodos, however magnificent, can't play that particular Tchaikovsky Concierto. But if true, no matter! No ONE pianist has ever played EVERY SINGLE COMPOSER faultlessly. If Rachmaninoff himself couldn't play Chopin well, Volodos should be forgiven if has YET to master Tchaikovsky. But heck, he's still a kid, right? Give the chap time!) In the final analysis, to fault young Maestro Volodos's wonderful unique interpretation of Rachmaninoff's is beyond unfair. It's irresponsibly inept and unworthy of anyone but a sorely untalented dilettante. We should rejoice that we have amongst us now a pianist who can truly mature into a legendary pianist without technical or musical limitations! :)"

A matter of taste

J. Van Duijl | Zwartewaal, the Netherlands | 11/20/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"What makes a performance of Rachmaninov's third great? First, you need a pianist that can play the notes correctly and is still able to think. A lot of pianists are able. Second, the orchestra, conductor and pianist must share the same view on the piece and be a good match. Not too many recordings remain. Third, the sound of the recording nust be at least good. This disc offers all that. So why not 5 stars? Simply put, it's a question of taste. Timing, accents, dynamics; only you can be the judge. The only way to find out is listen for yourself. There's not a bad note on this disc. The multichannel sound fills the room nicely and is mixed reasonably good. To me, it lacks subtility. Changes in dynamics are too abrupt. Still my favorite version; the Pletnev recording with Rostropovich (Deutsche Gramophon). Finally, I'd like to mention that live recordings always give more than you asked for; arythmical coughing."

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	Sergey Rachmaninov, James Levine, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3/ Solo Piano Works Genre: Classical
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