Sergey Rachmaninov Piano Duo Urarte amp Mrongovius - Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances Op 45 Suite No 2 Op 17 Fantasia Op 5 (11 tracks) +Album Reviews

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Sergey Rachmaninov, Piano Duo Urarte & Mrongovius
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45; Suite No. 2, Op. 17; Fantasia, Op. 5
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Classical

Track Listings (11) - Disc #1
1. Symphonic Dances, for orchestra (or 2 pianos), Op. 45: Non Allegro
2. Symphonic Dances, for orchestra (or 2 pianos), Op. 45: Andante con moto, Tempo di valse
3. Symphonic Dances, for orchestra (or 2 pianos), Op. 45: Lento assai - Allegro vivace
4. Suite No. 2 for 2 pianos in C major, Op. 17: Introduction. Alla marcia
5. Suite No. 2 for 2 pianos in C major, Op. 17: Valse. Presto
6. Suite No. 2 for 2 pianos in C major, Op. 17: Romance. Andantino
7. Suite No. 2 for 2 pianos in C major, Op. 17: Tarantelle. Presto
8. Suite No. 1 ('Fantaisie-tableaux') for 2 pianos in G minor, Op. 5: Barcarolle. Allegretto
9. Suite No. 1 ('Fantaisie-tableaux') for 2 pianos in G minor, Op. 5: La nuit, l'amour. Adagio sostenuto
10. Suite No. 1 ('Fantaisie-tableaux') for 2 pianos in G minor, Op. 5: Les larmes. Largo di molto
11. Suite No. 1 ('Fantaisie-tableaux') for 2 pianos in G minor, Op. 5: P?ques. Allegro maestoso

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CD Details

All Artists: Sergey Rachmaninov, Piano Duo Urarte & Mrongovius
Title: Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45; Suite No. 2, Op. 17; Fantasia, Op. 5
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Profil - G Haenssler
Original Release Date: 1/1/2005
Re-Release Date: 8/16/2005
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Classical
Styles: Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Instruments, Keyboard
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 881488502725

CD Reviews

Uriarte and Mrongovius? Dark-horse winners in these lovely s

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 01/18/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rachmaninov's music for two pianos, which includes some of his most attractive melodic writing, has atrracted pianists on the order of Ashkenazy, Previn, Ax and Argerich. All of them turn a phrase with more refinement and musical depth than the Duo Uriarte and Mrongovius, who are total unknowns to me. But what they have going for them is two things: the ability to speak with a single voice and the best two-piano recorded sound I've ever heard.

Among their competitors we get noisy, clattery sound from Argerich and Rabinovitch to match their often hectic playing. Previn/Ashkenazy get thin, shril sonics to go with their middle-of-the-road interpretation, while Ax/Bronfman give a performance-by-committee in average sound. In addition, we feel with all these star pairings that two show ponies decided to play as individuals. Here, we are exposed instead to a single instrument that happens to have two keyboards. Phrasing is unanimous, which is almost impossible while subtly shaping a line, yet Uriarte and Mrongovius manage very well.

As interpretations, their Symphonic Dances is still not as flashy as it should be, but who can sound like two Rachmaninovs, which is the ideal? At least they outmatch their illustrious competitors. The Suites #1 and #2 are even better, and one is grateful throughout that the Profil engineers give us minimum banging; two-piano recordings are usually too percussive. Where sheer virtuosity is called for, as in the second movement of Suite #2, or delicate poetry, as in the haiku-like third movement "Tears" from Suite #1, this duo can't match the competition, but in all other respects this is the most listenable and enjoyable of the lot.

Until Rachmaninov comes back as twins, I am discarding all other sets for this one."