Customer Reviews

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos ~ Anievas

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This one really surprised me. I have recordings of Argerich playing the 3rd, and Richter playing the 2nd (still one of my favorites), and an old Horowitz (on the 3rd), and an Ashkenazy. But when I decide I want to listen to the 2nd or 3rd, most of the time my hand reaches for this one. I frankly had never even heard of Anievas, but I love the spaciousness of his playing, the sheer lustre of it. And the New Philharmonia is on the same page too, which is more than I can saw of the Concertebouw (for the Argerich).

Really a fine set.

This is a performance beyond any other. The orchestra sounds great, the pianist, Agustin Anievas, is incredible. There is so much harmony amongst the music, the piano and the orchestra. Rachmaninov's piano concertos(2 &3 specially) touch the soul, Agustin's amazing and the orchestra is no less, together they make this performance so fulfilling that you cannot wish anything was any different.

I was asked recently by a young man just discovering the joys of classical music if I knew of any recordings of the Rachmaninov concerti that I would recommend. It didn't take me a second to reply, 'Why, yes! Agustin Anievas.' Of course, this is not a name that most people would come up with. But I've been a fan of Anievas ever since perhaps forty years ago when I heard him play, in recital, a transcendent Chopin Op. 10 Études set. And he has recorded those, along with the Op. 25 set, brilliantly (and they're available here at Amazon, too, for a budget price). Anievas, an American pianist who has been the long-time chairman of the piano department at Brooklyn College, is noted for his musical insight coupled with brilliant technique. No matter what he plays he mixes Dionysian energy with Apollonian balance with utter clarity. This, for me, is the perfect combination for the Rachmaninov concerti and Rhapsody. And that's what we get here. Add to that the superb support of the New Philharmonia (as it was then called) at a time in its history when one of its most compelling characteristics was its rich, luscious playing. Perfect.

Of course, another plus for this set is its budget price. I supposed that's because these performances were recorded about thirty-five years ago, but they are in sterling sound. There are three conductors: Frühbeck de Burgos for Concertos 1 & 4, Moshe Atzmon for Concerto 2 and the Rhapsody, and Aldo Ceccato for Concerto 3. There is really nothing to choose between them; they are all quite good. I have, frankly, never heard better recordings of Nos. 1 and 4, those unfortunately rarely-played stepchildren in Rachmaninov's concerto output. And the Third is easily one of the top three, in my book.

An easy recommendation.

Scott Morrison

Most people will uby this bargain two-fer for the most popular works: Rachmaninov's Concertos #2 and #3, along with the Pagnini Rhapsody, far outstrip the other two concertos in public favor. But Anievas is too well-ammnered in all three works, and his conductors, Alzman and Ceccato, are equally uninspired.

Where this set takes off is in the lesser known concertos, #1 and #4, where Anievas, an American who emerged in the pack of young pianists in the Sixties, becomes inspired by Fruhbeck de Burgos, who does wonders with the orchestral part. These are also the best-sounding recordings here. Between them, conductor and pianist find a gentler, more lyrical way to perform these hard-to-pull-off concertos, and they succeed by not trying to knock your socks off. Highly recommended, but you may want to skip the rest unless you like reticent Rachmaninov playing.

My first choice for the Rachmaninov concertos was Ashkenazy and Previn--technically perfect playing, I would say, but I found it rather lifeless. Great clarity in the recording, but a bit thin sounding.

This Anievas set, on the other hand, is full of passion. I cannot say for certain that it is as note-perfect as Ashkenazy, but it is amazing, all the same. The difference to me is the passion and fire that just gives absolute life to the music.

The quality of the recording is not as crystalline as the Ashkenazy set, but neither is it remote as the Ashkenazy set. Very enjoyable, an excellent purchase!

This CD is the 4th version of Rachmaninov's Variation on a Theme of Paganini, and I'd have to say this is the best one yet!
As for the piano concertos, not only are Rachmaninov's Piano Concertos wonderful, this CD is a very well performed version of it...
On the side note, it might be just me but Rachmaninov's piano music heavily remind me of Thaikovsky's, especially his later symphonies and Piano Concerto No.1, which a lot of people love
I definitely recommend this CD to anyone who's looking for a good romantic era CD