Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Eugene Ormandy, Leopold Stokowski :: Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos 2 & 3

Terrible Recording of Great Performance

Daniel D. Kim | Vancouver, British Columbia Canada | 12/16/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Let me make this clear. I think the performance was superb. After all, Rachmaninov played it and nobody understood these concerti better than he did. I own the complete Rachmaninov recordings and this was included in that edition released by RCA. When I bought that, there was no choice because it came as a set. The sound quality is far less than perfect. There is the same recording remastered by Naxos and I really suggest that version. This RCA one was remastered almost 10 years ago and back then, there was no sophisticated technology to enhance the sound. The Naxos one has more depth and clarity than this one and it is much cheaper, too. If you buy Naxos CDs, with the same amount money, you can collect all four concerti played by Rachmaninov."

The Virtuoso composer and performer at his best.

Henry H. Knapp III | Centennial, CO USA | 05/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These may be the two most beautiful piano concertos written in the twentieth century, and Rachmaninoff was one of the greatest pianists of the century. Here his is at his best, both as a composer and as a pianist. Lovingly restored from the original master recordings and archived 78 RPM vinyl discs, these are recordings you will treasure for the rest of your life."

The Concertos by the Composer Himself

Gregory C. Dyer | Downingtown, PA USA | 12/08/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I enjoyed listening to the interpretations of Rach's 2nd and 3rd piano concertos simply because they're played the way the composer felt they should be played. Rachmaninoff's interpretation of the 3rd piano concerto is incredible, insane tempo, every note played perfectly, an incredible cadenza, it's all there. The 2nd I found less intriguing, though I can't pick out any specific flaws. The only reason I give 4 instead of 5 stars is that the sound quality really takes away from the clarity of the music; what should be beautiful, articuluted melodies at times become somewhat slurred thuds in the background. This definitely detracts from the emotion and beauty of the music. Still, I recommend the cd, especially for the interpretation of the 3rd piano concerto."