Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

"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!

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.

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.