Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody

Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Vladimir Ashkenazy (Conductor), Cleveland Orchestra (Orchestra), Jean-Yves Thibaudet (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Jean-Yves Thibaudet
• Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra
• Conductor: Vladimir Ashkenazy
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov
• Audio CD (October 11, 1994)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000422U
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #76,393 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

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

2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: No. 2, Adagio sostenuto

3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: No. 3, Allegro scherzando

4. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THIBAUDET ROCKS, July 13, 2001

By 

MOVIE MAVEN (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody (Audio CD)

Even if you are not familiar with the Noel Coward 'chick flic' BRIEF ENCOUNTER in which the principal theme from Rachmaninov's 2ND PIANO CONCERTO was used and re-used and used again; even if you are not familiar with the slightly cheesy pop song called FULL MOON AND EMPTY ARMS which, again, used this principal theme...whether you know it or not, you are familiar with the theme. You have heard it and, most likely, it has charmed you. It must be one of the most rapturous, enchantingly romantic melodies ever written by any composer.

Vladimir Ashkenazy is, of course, a major interpreter of this work as pianist soloist. Here, as conductor, he leads the Cleveland Orchestra in one of the most exciting interpretations recorded. His superb soloist Jean-Yves Thibaudet has obviously learned from "the master." Ashkenazy lets orchestra and soloist almost sound rushed, but he always reigns them in. He is, in fact, always in control and nothing is really rushed at all. And then in the spectacular, final movement the musicians hurdle breathlessly to the grand finish. This is, I believe, the Rachmaninov 2ND to own.

The sound (recorded in 1994) is sparkling and rich. The addition of Rachmaninov's RHAPSODY ON A THEME OF PAGANINI is a fine choice in a first class performance.

Thibaudet is probably my favorite of the current, young pianists. In this recording, he rocks. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Impressive On Every Level, March 5, 2005

By 

Christopher "chrysaetos" (Wengen-en-esprit) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody (Audio CD)

As a pianist, I have found Ashkenazy's interpretations to piano works to be the closest with what I read. His recordings have always awed and inspired me.

That said, I had never heard anything coming from him as a conductor, so I had my (vague) concerns. I was pretty young when I first heard Jean-Yves Thibaudet play those twenty chords that lead you directly into Rachmaninov's 2nd concerto. And I've listened to this piece a hundred times since then. There are simply no words for this interpretation.

I *can* compare to Mr. Ashkenazy's version since I own them too. (I highly recommend the 6 CD Ashkenazy/Previn Rachmaninov collection.) While Ashkenazy plays the 1st, 3rd, and 4th concertos to my liking, Thibaudet's rendition of the 2nd is somewhat more grand...perhaps because sections are played just a little slower in the first movement.

Bravo, I say! Can't let Ashkenazy get too carried away like he does on his recording (and perhaps Previn pushed for it). But the man is a genius in his own right. I love everything he does.

For those keen on the recording, this album is extremely well done. The piano is lively and bright, and I can recognize the distinct Steinway softness -- Thibaudet plays a Steinway Hamburg D, an 8' 11 ¾" grand. It balances perfectly with the orchestra and is neither drowned nor overpowering. The orchestra is lush and slightly dark. Very well done.

And importantly in today's digital age: if this recording has within-movement digital splices, they are so well concealed, I don't believe they are even there. Also, Thibaudet does not make a single error. I cannot say this about many other pianists' recordings, unfortunately.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just amazing!!, April 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2; Paganini Rhapsody (Audio CD)

I own 6 different recordings of this work - (Ashkenazy, Gavrilov, Grimaud, Gutierrez, Earl Wild, and Rachmaninoff's own) and I would have to say that out of all of these, this recording is second only to Earl Wild's. However, this one has great sound quality, and is played very well. Definitely worth it!