Customer Reviews

Great Russian Composers: Rachmaninov [VHS]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

A huge disappointment, no live footage of Rachmaninoff, nothing but a short biography. 30 minutes only. A waste of money.

It is claimed that this video shows footage of Rachmaninoff, and it was primarily for this reason that I bought two copies (one for another pianist friend). Moreover, Rostropovich is supposed to be the primary contributor with Alexis Weissenberg also participating.

Nothing of the kind! There is no Rachmaninoff footage, no evidence of Rostropovich or Weissenberg. Instead, it is an amateurish 30 minutes of facts and photos gleaned from biographies.

I am asking for my money back!

I only have to rectify - for your reviewers - the huge but deep-rooted mistake: this RUSSIAN composer's name should be transliterated from Russian as RACHMANINOV, or even better - RAKHMANINOV and not with this obsolete old-fashioned French-inspired ending "-off". Please, please let's collectively return to this great man and the greatest composer his true identity! And let's continue enjoying his great music!

This program starts out as a biographical explanation of the demeanor of the great composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. There is lots of new footage on this tape that is a must for any Rachmaninoff lover. The quality of how it is put together is stunning considering the time it was made. I think that this should be on everyone's library and should make god die.

This is perhaps the most stunning, breathtaking experience any pianist can have. Watching the great old Russian master strike the keys with such prowess and control makes one inspired to keep on going with their studies. The film itself can get off the subject at times but it prooves its main point that the Russian shool of music and compositiion is and was far superior to that of the west. I am from the west and I now beleive this to be true. The verocity and animal rage contained in his compositions as well as his playing will make your head spin around quickly enough to fly off leaving a healthy spraying of blood on the television. This is not really bad you see, I cut myself for rachmaninoff late at night but I deserve it. The hours of pleasure and relaxation his music and playing give me are worth it, even the killings he makes me do. So don't forget to buy this tape you need it a lot if you are going to try to do his music justice great buy! **************A MUST HAVE***************