Comparative recordings of Rachmaninoff’s Paganini Rhapsody

[Rach3]

A very insightful program from BBC Radio 3’s Record Review, about 30 minutes in. “Winners” Kapell,Biret,Abduraimov, Trifonov.

Thumbs down to Pletnev, Wild.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000y5ql

[maestrob]

Interesting.

Grew up with Pennario & Rubinstein. Have heard most of the others under discussion, but IIRC, I liked Abduraimov above the other contemporaries I've heard. Must revisit to be sure.

Met Pennario during the 1980's when he stayed at the club for a concert he was giving. A gentleman, of course, and not at all imposing in person. Because he wasn't trained on the East Coast, critics often under-estimated him or didn't quite know how to place him stylistically, but I think he shines and has excellent taste in his RCA recordings. Too bad he had to compete with Rubinstein & Van Cliburn, an unequal contest in the publicity department.

[barney]

Thanks Steve. Will try to listen today.

[Rach3]

Met Pennario during the 1980's when he stayed at the club for a concert he was giving. A gentleman, of course, and not at all imposing in person.

Have seriously considered this 4-cd set , but not purchased yet:

https://tinyurl.com/3xn3za8v

[Lance]

I just wrote a lengthy piece to respond to this thread ... alas, I waited too long to submit it and thus lost it. I may try again in a day or two. Let it be said I've favoured the three Artur Rubinstein recordings of the piece, Moiseiwitsch, Rachmaninoff (himself), Yuja Wang, Pennario and several others. When one tries to rewrite an original piece, it never comes out the way it first did after thinking about it so carefully, so it is frustrating!

[maestrob]

I just wrote a lengthy piece to respond to this thread ... alas, I waited too long to submit it and thus lost it. I may try again in a day or two. Let it be said I've favoured the three Artur Rubinstein recordings of the piece, Moiseiwitsch, Rachmaninoff (himself), Yuja Wang, Pennario and several others. When one tries to rewrite an original piece, it never comes out the way it first did after thinking about it so carefully, so it is frustrating!

I share your frustration, Lance. This has happened to me once or twice, so now sometimes I compose in Word and then cut/paste the text. This used to happen to JohnF also, IIRC.

I must hear Yuja Wang in this! It's right up her alley!

Pennario also recorded the piece for EMI, a recording which I will hear for the first time today, coupled with Rachmaninoff III. Five stars from Amazon listeners:

[Rach3]

Julian von Karolyi playing the Rachmaninoff Rhapsody, studio recording 1952, Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra,Arthur Rother. A very sprightly reading, especially unique in the 18th Variation :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PV9JZPkaLL8

[maestrob]

Met Pennario during the 1980's when he stayed at the club for a concert he was giving. A gentleman, of course, and not at all imposing in person.

Have seriously considered this 4-cd set , but not purchased yet:

https://tinyurl.com/3xn3za8v

That looks interesting. This is now on my shelves and still available for about $42:



The 4CD mono recordings box can be streamed on Spotify as of today.

I'm still working on Fiorentino's Rachmaninoff via the youtube link you posted earlier, with favorable results, of course!

[stickles]

Anyone heard Denis Matsuev's recording of the Rhapsody? I saw him live with Montreal Symphony under Kent Nagano. It was a stupendous performance. Some of the syncopated sections were highlighted to be given a swing like character. It reminded me that when Rachmaninoff wrote this piece, he had already been calling America his home for almost 15 years.

[Rach3]

It reminded me that when Rachmaninoff wrote this piece, he had already been calling America his home for almost 15 years.

Per the BBC program, Rachmaninoff said he wrote the work " for American audiences" , and it was premiered in America with Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra.Matsuev plays as a jazz pianist often in his recital encores.

[barney]

Terrific program, Steve; thanks for posting. Really interesting comparisons.
I have 20 versions of this work, and Trifonov is probably at the top for me right now. I'm also still very fond of the interpretation in which I first heard it, Martin Tirimo's. Rachmaninov himself is essential, as the Russian expert said, and Rubinstein is always interesting (with Reiner and with Susskind).

[Lance]

Yes, the Matsuev is also a wonderful rendering with Gergiev and the Mariinsky on the Mariinsky Theater Orchestra ... recorded in 2009 on the Mariinsky label. Matsuev has made quite a few fine recordings for the label.

Anyone heard Denis Matsuev's recording of the Rhapsody? I saw him live with Montreal Symphony under Kent Nagano. It was a stupendous performance. Some of the syncopated sections were highlighted to be given a swing like character. It reminded me that when Rachmaninoff wrote this piece, he had already been calling America his home for almost 15 years.

[Wallingford]

Interesting.

Grew up with Pennario & Rubinstein. Have heard most of the others under discussion, but IIRC, I liked Abduraimov above the other contemporaries I've heard. Must revisit to be sure.

Met Pennario during the 1980's when he stayed at the club for a concert he was giving. A gentleman, of course, and not at all imposing in person. Because he wasn't trained on the East Coast, critics often under-estimated him or didn't quite know how to place him stylistically, but I think he shines and has excellent taste in his RCA recordings. Too bad he had to compete with Rubinstein & Van Cliburn, an unequal contest in the publicity department.

That's a damn good Variationes Symphoniques.