Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Vladimir Ashkenazy, Cleveland Orchestra :: Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto Nos. 1 & 3

A treasure that more people should know about

Trevor Gillespie | San Jose, California United States | 06/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Thibaudet certainly is at home with playing Rachmaninov. These two piano concertos are two works where a pianist gets to show off some of his/her talent. Of course, the important thing for a pianist to remember is not play a Rachmaninov concerto to show only empty virtuosity. A great pianist like Thibaudet shows his virtuosity but also generates the emotional climaxes and heartbreaking lows that Rachmaninov wrote. Together with Ashkenazy who has also played Rachmaninov exceptionally well, a record is produced that is of first rate quality. The Cleveland Orchestra shows that they are a very capable orchestra."

A wonderful performance

Ruinaen | Washington State, USA | 10/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was first exposed to the Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 through the movie "Shine". At that time, I knew virtually nothing about classical music, but I couldn't get the haunting theme of the first movement out of my head. A few months ago, years after I had first heard it, I began looking for a recording of the Rach 3 to buy. Having already had extreme respect for both the Cleveland Orchestra and Vladimir Ashkenazy, I knew that the combination would surely turn out well. Even though I know now that he's famous, I had really only heard the name Jean-Yves Thibaudet mentioned once before at the time I purchased this CD. Because of this, I was a little unsure whether or not he would play the concerto up to the expectations I had set up in my mind. On good faith that Ashkenazy would select only the best soloists to play with him (especially since he plays the Rachmaninoff concertos as well) I bought the CD. I'm glad I did! I think it quite possibly is one of my favorite CDs, and only the true gems get that dubbing. The sound quality is superb from the quietest passages to the most thundering. The playing, on both Thibaudet's and the orchestra's part, is as good as can be found. As mentioned in the liner notes, Thibaudet plays the long cadenza in the first movement in the Rach 3 (on Ashkenazy's recommendation), and it works perfectly. The other recording I have has the shorter cadenza, and after hearing the longer one, I can imagine it being played any other way. Everything about this CD is wonderful, right down to the sound of the piano. I would recommend it to anyone, either a experienced music collector or a beginner.I really don't know that much about Rachmaninoff's First Piano Concerto, but it is played just as well technically as the Third. Thibaudet is a truely gifted pianist. Being comfortable in jazz as well as classical music, the Rachmanioff piano concertos are a perfect outlet for his talents. He achieves a masterful blend of virtuosity with emotion in two greatly inspired performances.The chemistry between conductor, orchestra and soloist is as good as can be found. Ashkenazy's sensitivity to the needs of the soloist, having been one himself on many occasions, makes the pairing even more exceptional (if that's even possible)! The Cleveland Orchestra is warm and technically accurate as always. Don't hesitate to buy this disk . . . it's worth every cent!"

A great interpretaion

A Morris | UK | 04/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The performance is great. It takes its inspiration from the original performances that Rachmaninov himself recorded on old 78s, capturing the energy and passion that Rachmaninov himself brought to his performance."