Customer Reviews

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Scriabin Etudes

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

While this doesn't have the velocity of Martha Argerich's recording, or the smooth glow of Byron Janis's, I'd consider this as a credible candidate for your only copy of Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto. The power of the first movement cadenza alone is worth the price of admission, and at the end of of the third movement, you'll leap to your feet to join in the yelp of applause from the usualy staid British audience. The Scriabin Etudes aren't as familiar, but are useful for demonstrating pianistic brilliance. Lang Lang is likely to be the most important pianist of his generation.

After hearing Lang Lang perform live with the St. Louis Symphony, I must conclude that this CD does not fully do Lang Lang justice. His reading of Rachmaninoff is pleasant but somewhat unconvincing(in some spots not even resembling Rachmaninoff, I would blame the orchestra more them him for this problem). The Scriabin Etudes were interesting in that he interpreted them in some cases almost opposite the orginal score. Still the etudes sparkled with stunning technique. The Rachmaninoff also contained some stunning moments but some of the sense, character, and style was destroyed by the orchestra. In my opinion Lang Lang did outstanding while the orchestra was terrible. I would recommend any fan of Lang Lang to pick up this CD, but any fan of the St. Petersburg Philharmonic should pass this one right by.

I have enjoyed this recording since it first appeared, and it is still on my player after all these years. The Scriabin etudes are a wonderful bonus. With Lang Lang's autobiography now in print, the story of his life leading up to this recording makes this CD interesting as a historical document of a young pianist emerging on the world stage. Other reviewers sometimes tell us that there are "classic" recordings by better interpreters of this piece. Personally, I have not found the particular recordings most often mentioned to be all that "classic". The one recording of this masterpiece I would most recommend is (strangely?) almost never mentioned: Rachmaninoff's own recording from 1939 with Eugene Ormandy conducting. You can listen to it on You Tube (no video, obviously) as posted by "theoshow2".

Rachmaninoff's own performance, though surprising at first, sets a standard that is perhaps impossible to match. This is his music, and he plays it as a natural expression of his own particular technical gifts and interests. His playing radiates articulation, muscular grace, fluency and subtlety, even at tempos far faster than others' most frenzied attempts. Throughout the performance there is a sense of invention, imagination, and purpose. His Steinway is dark and magical, never imposing any limitations on his performance. In other words, there is no descent into the usual percussive banging, even in the most challenging passages. Who can say today how Rachmaninoff sounded when he played the piece as a young man? The 1939 recording certainly projects a confidence and familiarity that would have been unlikely 30 years earlier.

This is all to say that this is a piece with enormous technical and musical challenges. I still hope to hear a recording, apart from Rachmaninoff's own, that can make sense of it all and reveal the fluidity of its thought process throughout the most demanding passages. Lang Lang's youthful recording is wonderful in its lyrical moments, but like all other modern recordings I've heard, it does not speak to me with the intense beauty and convincing musicality in every passage of the composer's own performance.

My opinion of Lang Lang is very complicated. He is a young virtuoso with impeccable clarity and technique. I have seen him live, and he performs very clearly and with refined pianism. His playing is clean and accurate, no question about it. However, the problem lies with Lang Lang's interpretation. He isn't mature enough to interpret music correctly. Many people know this and criticize him for it, and revere Yundi Li as an alternative. Lang Lang lacks the musical experience and maturity to properly interpret certain styles, and I hope he doesn't try to interpret late Beethoven or the Liszt sonata. That said, however, his interpretations of Russian music are much more fitting. Typically Russian music is more free-spirited and flamboyant than its German counterpart. While his Rachmaninoff is decently-interpreted, his Scriabin is worth mentioning.

Lang Lang interprets Scriabin like no other. There are good and bad things to this. He is so unsure of himself musically that his Scriabin etudes are mere guesswork. Compare his recordings to the great Scriabin legends of Sofronitsky, Horowitz, and even Kissin. Case in point, his uncertainty actually leads him to play Scriabin in a very unique and interesting style. He plays it schizophrenically, which may be appropriate - Scriabin, though brilliant, was crazy (hypochondria and synaesthesia being the smallest examples). Lang Lang's "guesswork" actually works out in these etudes, because they are young, showy pieces, so the schizophrenic, unsure interpretation works out nicely for him. However I think Lang Lang would poorly interpret late Scriabin as it is very mature and atonal.

If you are looking to purchase this CD, let me give you a good summary. The Rach Concerto 3 is well done, clean and accurate, but nothing spectacular: don't expect a 1951 Horowitz recording here, just a clean and accurate recording. The Scriabin etudes are fascinating to listen to and showcase a very interesting interpretation that surpringly works (his Op. 8/3 and 65/3 are unparalleled in my opinion).

Unlike a few others, I have no problems with sound quality. The sound is crystal clear, what I would expect from a modern recording like this. Good luck in your purchasing endeavours!

Lang Lang was born in Shen Yang, China in June, 1982. His father, Guo-Ren Lang, is one of the leading players in the world of the "erhu", a two stringed Chinese instrument. Lang Lang began his piano studies at the age of three. At fifteen, he was accepted at the famous Curtis Institute in Philadelphia where he has studied under the very capable guidance of its Director, Gary Graffman. He will graduate this year. I had the pleasure of introducing both Lang Lang and his father recently at a private fundraiser for the benefit if the St. Petersburg Philaharmonic and they played a duet following a magnificent performance by Lang Lang. I hope someday they will make a recording together, as it was beautiful.

On May 2, 2001, Lang Lang made his debut at Carnegie Hall. Playing with Maestro Yuri Temirkanov, conducting the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, he set a new standard for the Grieg Piano Concerto. Anne Midgette writing for the New York Times described the debut as "breathtaking" and "stunning" and that his "playing reveals a deep, underlying power".

In August, 2001, Lang Lang made his debut in London, again with Mr. Temirkanov, who this time led the famed St. Petersburg Philharmonic. This CD is a recording of that "Live at the Proms" performance at the Royal Albert Hall. Hilary Finch, of the London Times, wrote it "could well be history in the making". She concluded her review by stating that, "Lang Lang's decision to live dangerously is by no means megalomaniac: his intense repartee with the orchestra marked him as a pianist who loves being a musician, not just a soloist". Lang Lang is indeed very fortunate to have a conductor of the caliber of Yuri Temirkanov to have guided him at both of these seminal debuts.

This recording captures this amazing performance of the well recorded Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3. which premiered in New York , with the composer as soloist, in 1909. Lang Lang has mastered this beautiful and complicated music and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic serves as a perfect partner. It has the excitement of a live performance and is amazingly well recorded. The pianist's phenominal technique is displayed in full force, especially in the cadenza. It is a dazzling performance.

As an extra bonus, included on the CD are some exquisite Scriabin Etudes flawlessly played by Lang Lang and recorded at Oberlin College.

I see that Lang Lang's handlers have a very busy schedule laid out for the next two years. I only pray that this wonderful person paces himself and becomes the leading pianist in the world. He certainly has all it takes and this recording is evidence of that fact.

this is a glorious piano concerto and I so enjoyed the subtle differences that Lang Lang brought to it.His interpretation is a joy.

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3, Scriabin Etudes is a 2002 Telearc recording starring pianist Lang Lang. We get to here two works. One being Rachmaninov's piano concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30. The other being Alexander Scriabin's Etudes. Richard E. Rodda has written the music notes. Truly a magical performance. Highly recommended indeed. 5/5.

I was looking forward to this CD given the favorable press surrounding this rising star. After a thorough listening, I would emphasize the word rising. The notes are played more or less accurately and he has some wonderful colors in some of the Scriabin etudes, but overall these recordings lack the passion and fire necessary to make Rachmaninoff and Scriabin come alive. Horowitz and Richter offer far more compelling interpretations of these works. While good, Lang Lang has further to go before he's in their league.

After having watched 'shine', I fell in love with Rachmaninoff's 3rd. However, no recording of this masterpiece was able to move me as much as Lang Lang's interpretation. And my expectations were not disappointed when watching him in Vancouver 2003. He seems to well know about the dark sides and dangers of this piece, but in his interpretation, the good wins over the evil, and he plays with musical insight that is astonishing for his young age. And, no doubt, his technique is nothing but brilliant.
Give it a try, and you'll fall in love with it!

Firstly, ignore all the reviewers who dumped on Lang Lang because of his age. Might as well say he can't play Rachmaninoff because he's Asian. Sorry, unless you can offer constructive reasons as to why you don't like the CD, please don't bother me with your opinions about the performer's race, religion, height, weight, hair color.... or age.

Secondly, this is a very popular and much recorded work. You already have a favorite version by Horowitz, Argerich, etc. Great. But what does that tell us about THIS recording? (Hint: nothing).

Thirdly, whoever complained about the sound quality on this CD is just plain wrong.

This is a terrific reading of Rachmaninoff's third piano concerto. Lang Lang is not just technically brilliant, he's clearly enjoying himself. That's a key quality I look for. And let's not forget the playing of Temirkanov and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic. A great concerto recording can't be accomplished by soloist alone, the orchestra support is equally important. Listen only to the second movement if you need convincing of how much this Russian ensemble loves their countryman's work. I lso like the spontaneity of a live recording. In a studio, a couple of the uptempo sections might have been rerecorded. But, if a few notes were lost here or there, I'll take the exhuberance of this recital over a note perfect rendition.

The Chinese folk song Lang plays as an encore is brilliant. If he did an album of tunes of this type, I'd snap it up. And the Scriabin Etudes are a perfect complement to round out the CD.