Rachmaninov: The "Elegiac" Piano Trios

Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Borodin Trio (Performer), Luba Edlina (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Borodin Trio, Luba Edlina
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov
• Audio CD (September 30, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Chandos
• ASIN: B000000ACH
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,139 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #82 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > Composers > Rachmaninov, Sergei

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Look no further, January 10, 2007

By 

Theodoros Charalambopoulos "pianist" (Athens - Greece) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rachmaninov: The "Elegiac" Piano Trios (Audio CD)

If you are looking for a recording for the elegiac trios look no further.
A serious performance by the borodin trio will satisfy most listeners.
I am a chamber music pianist and use this cd as a repertuare reference.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful readings of superb music, August 5, 2009

By 

G.D. (Norway) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Rachmaninov: The "Elegiac" Piano Trios (Audio CD)

Because of its relative brevity, the early first of Rachmaninov's Elegiac trios, in one movement, seems to be something of a favorite on disc (it works very nicely as a companion to Tchaikovsky's expansive trio, for instance, or to Shostakovich's two). But there can be no doubt about its inferiority to the masterpiece that is his second trio. Both works owe a lot to Tchaikovsky's work, but whereas the first - a student work - is slightly derivative (even though it displays certain characteristic features and is in general a fine work), the second incorporates the inspirations (it was after all written as a lament on the death of Tchaikovsky) in the assured, individual idiom of Rachmaninov's mature style.

Indeed, the long first movement of the second trio must be one of Rachmaninov's finest utterances; with in turns dramatic, beautifully wistful and emotionally harrowing themes and figures wrought together in an ambitious structure, the movement comes across as one of the finest examples of trio writing ever, regardless of composer.

The Borodin provides some eloquent performances, perhaps better at conveying fervor and emotional stress than achieving a beautiful sound - but the overall experience is a powerful one. Furthermore, they are also very much able to weave the various elements into a very convincing whole. In one version or another, this is music that must be heard, and no one will go wrong with the performances here. Very strongly recommended.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This obscure album deserves a far better fate!, July 23, 2001

By 

R. M Connors (Dedham, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rachmaninov: The "Elegiac" Piano Trios (Audio CD)

These piano trios are not well known, and that's a shame and a puzzle. The music is worthy of Dvorak at his best, and the playing here is rich and lively. Lovely, approachable music in a very well done performance. I'm tempted to award it 5 stars because I love this album, but I have no other version to compare it to! Try it; you'll like it.