Rachmaninoff: Preludes (complete) [Import]

Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Alexis Weissenberg (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alexis Weissenberg
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov
• Audio CD (October 8, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: RCA Victor Europe
• ASIN: B000026P09
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,217 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Preludes
  • #35 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > Composers > Rachmaninov, Sergei
  • #57 in Music > Imports > Classical

Track Listings

1. Prelude for piano No.1 in C sharp minor ('The Bells of Moscow'), Op. 3/2

2. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 1 in F sharp minor

3. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 2 in B flat major

4. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 3 in in D minor

5. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 4 in D major

6. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 5 in G minor

7. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 6 in E flat major

8. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 7 in C minor

9. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 8 in A flat major

10. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 9 in E flat minor

11. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: No. 10 in G flat major

12. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 1 in C major

13. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 2 in B flat minor

14. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 3 in E minor

15. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 4 in E minor

16. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 5. G major

17. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 6 in F minor

18. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 7 in F major

19. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 8 in A minor

20. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: No. 9 in A major

See all 24 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars SIMPLY THE BEST, June 21, 2004

By 

GEORGE RANNIE "GWRJWMCL" (DENVER, COLORADO United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rachmaninoff: Preludes (complete) (Audio CD)

THE BEST

I own many recordings of the Rachmaninoff Piano Preludes; however, Alexis Weissenberg's playing of them is the very best. The thunderous ones are delivered with jaw-dropping bravura and the tender ones are delivered with great emotional depth coming from his very soul. You won't believe Alexis' technique.

Many pianist have complained that Rachmaninoff's piano works are almost unplayable due to the fact they were written for Rachmaninoff himself whose hands were physically enormous. I can remember many years ago an interview with a world famous pianist that had just recorded the Preludes and he was almost in tears recounting the demands of the works he had just recorded. Well, from listening to Weissenberg?s recording, I don't think he shed any tears over the demands of the works. His playing is truly exciting in every way.

If you want to hear the Rachmaninoff Preludes played as no one else can play them, buy this disc.

16 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best performances available., June 7, 2003

By 

D. R. Schryer (Poquoson, VA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rachmaninoff: Preludes (complete) (Audio CD)

Alexis Weissenberg is a superb pianist -- quite possibly the greatest pianist of the recorded era. It is difficult for me to understand why he has never received the accolades accorded to, say, Horowitz. Although Weissenberg's technique is astounding, it is always used not for show but in support of his incredible artistry. His performances of the Rachmaninov Preludes are quite simply awesome -- covering the full range from gently lyrical to stormingly exhuberent, depending upon what is appropriate for the music. You will probably never hear a finer performance of this music -- or finer piano playing in any reperoire.

13 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A majestic performance, July 11, 2005

By 

V. Arni "Ipsofacto" (New Delhi, India) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Rachmaninoff: Preludes (complete) (Audio CD)

What is really incredible in this CD is not only the great artistry and lyricism, of Weissenberg - from the hammer blows to the murmers - but the quality of sound which is superb enough to demonstrate the capabilities of one's wide-range audio systems. Although recorded in 1968-69, it is obvious that the recording engineers of that time had the technical capabilities to capture the sound of the piano in all its magnificience, seldom reached with all of the current technology. (My CD is a reissue on the BMG label and although not so marked on the jewel case, it is a - to repeat,a brilliantly - remastered disk). One hears the composer and the performer working together transparently. That is what CD-making should be all about!