Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 / Isle of the Dead

Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Franz Schubert (Composer), Carl Maria von Weber (Composer), Carl Tausig (Composer), Jascha Horenstein (Conductor), Royal Philharmonic (Orchestra), Earl Wild (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Earl Wild
• Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic
• Conductor: Jascha Horenstein
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov, Franz Schubert, Carl Maria von Weber, Carl Tausig
• Audio CD (March 7, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chesky Records
• ASIN: B000003GCN
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #111,414 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: 1. Moderato - S. Rachmaninoff

2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: 2. Adagio Sostenuto - S. Rachmaninoff

3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: 3. Allegro Scherzando - S. Rachmaninoff

4. Marche Militaire (after Schubert's D 733:1) for piano - S. Rachmaninoff

5. Invitation to the Dance, After Weber for piano - Earl Wild

6. The Isle of the Dead, symphonic poem, Op. 29 - Earl Wild

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will find a wonderful treasure here!!, April 6, 2001

By 

Dr J "ravereviewer" (Acton, CA USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 / Isle of the Dead (Audio CD)

"Isle of the Dead" is one of Rachmaninoff's compositions that is seldom if ever performed publically, and thus it is unknown to a vast percentage of classical music lovers. However, if you love Rachmaninoff, you will prize this CD and ALL the selections, especially "Isle of the Dead." It is composed with a clear attempt to "paint" a picture for the listener, to use unusual meter and chordal progressions that pull at one's emotions. It has been claimed that Rachmaninoff wrote this piece after seeing a painting entitled "Isle of the Dead." His genius shows through with unusual clarity in this beautiful composition, and Horenstein's interpretation is flawless, as always. Buy it!! You will never regret spending this small sum for all the enjoyment and musical stimulation you will receive in return!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Earl Wild - Virtuoso, April 15, 2000

By 

Joe (Tennessee) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 / Isle of the Dead (Audio CD)

I own 4 CDs containing various versions of the Rachmaninoff 2nd; Van Cliburn among them. Wild's version is an absolute standout. Where the other versions tend to drag and become heavy-handed at spots where they need to be brilliant, Earl Wild's interpretation I believe is more faithful to Rachmaninoff's incredible talent.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great performance disappointing remaster, March 29, 2011

By 

J. TIMMERMAN (Lawson, NSW Australia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 / Isle of the Dead (Audio CD)

Chesky's remaster of Earl Wild's recording of the Grieg Piano Concerto is gorgeous - warm and detailed. The Rachmaninov remasters however are stripped bare - they're too clean. Piano sound is good but the orchestra sounds old and shrill because the warmth has gone. Surprising and disappointing. The Chandos remasters actually sound better (and all the concertos and rhapsody are on 2CDs). Performance of course is brilliant.