Rachmaninov: Suite Nos. 1 & 2,Opp.5,17 / Symphonic Dances,Op.45

Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Alexandre Rabinovitch (Performer), Martha Argerich (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alexandre Rabinovitch, Martha Argerich
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov
• Audio CD (July 7, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B000000SFP
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #199,185 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Suite No. 1 'Fantaisie-tableaux', Op. 5: Barcarolle

2. Suite No. 1 'Fantaisie-tableaux', Op. 5: La nuit...L'amour

3. Suite No. 1 'Fantaisie-tableaux', Op. 5: Les larmes

4. Suite No. 1 'Fantaisie-tableaux', Op. 5: Paques

5. Suite No. 2, op. 17: Introduction

6. Suite No. 2, op. 17: Valse

7. Suite No. 2, op. 17: Romance

8. Suite No. 2, op. 17: Tarantella

9. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (Version For 2 Pianos): Non Allegro

10. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (Version For 2 Pianos): Andante con moto

11. Symphonic Dances, Op. 45 (Version For 2 Pianos): Lento assai

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking pianism and unanimity, March 13, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Suite Nos. 1 & 2,Opp.5,17 / Symphonic Dances,Op.45 (Audio CD)

There aren't many recordings of Rachmaninov's piano suites, probably because few players can master this material. Well, Argerich and Rabinovich obviously have mastered it and they show what rewarding music this is. That Argerich is a natural in the music of Rachmaninov is a given. What is news is that her duo partner, the lesser-known Rabinovich, is a match for her both pianistically and temperamentally. Together, they bring an impetuous quality throughout and their fingers seem to fly over the keyboards in the faster numbers. For example, Valse, in the Second Suite, really sweeps the listener off his or her feet. Moreover, the recorded sound is state of the art, capturing a perfect balance between the pianos and the full range of the artists' tone color. I'm surprised nobody has reviewed this yet. It's really awe-inspiring.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exqusite Rachmaninoff, September 4, 2004

By 

Terry C. Kildal (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Suite Nos. 1 & 2,Opp.5,17 / Symphonic Dances,Op.45 (Audio CD)

Both of the suites recorded here are amazing. The playing is technically unparalleled, though at times I agree with the other reviewer that we sometimes miss emotional heart in some spots. I also own the Ashkenazy Previn set and it compliments this set well. The sound quality here is outstanding, in stark contrast to the older Ashkenazy set. To get the full picture of this music own both sets. Both get 5 stars for different reasons.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ample Virtuosity Sometimes Misses the Point, June 30, 2002

By 

Daniel J. Rose (Shrewsbury, MA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Rachmaninov: Suite Nos. 1 & 2,Opp.5,17 / Symphonic Dances,Op.45 (Audio CD)

This is one of the two finest performances of these pieces in recent record. For that, it is perhaps the most overtly virtuosic of the lot, with Martha Argerich and Alexandre Rabinovitch (Ar/R) perfectly matched in skill and musical temperament.

The other finest performance of these pieces is the recording by Vladimir Ashkenazy and Andre Previn (As/P)(London/Decca 444 845-2), older than Ar/R by over 10 years for Op. 45 and by over 15 years for Op. 5 and Op. 17. While Ar/R play with the kind of breathtaking technique that keeps you on the edge of your seat, and certainly show great sympathy with the emotions aroused by this music, they sometimes either miss an important musical point or emphasize the point out of proportion to its place in the musical texture. It is the As/P recording (and at least one other recording of Op. 45 by a husband/wife team that is now out of print on Vox/Turnabout) that so well makes these points and reveals the shortcomings in Ar/R.

With Ar/R, there is noticably equal weight given to their parts by both performers almost all of the time. In a curious way, this emphasizes the virtuosity of both performers, and in so doing, one really does hear both performers as individuals, even though it is often difficult to know (without a score) who is playing what part. On the other hand, with As/P, each performer hands off the prominance of their part to the other (presumably according to the score), and they do it with such fluid and seamless ease that they leave two strong impressions: 1) the unity of their ensemble and 2) a powerful understanding of the structural and expressive points in the score, which they convey clearly. Basicly, As/P sound together like a single performer on one "grand" piano, where as Ar/R sound like two superbly matched and gifted performers on separate pianos, each matching the other in prominance and expressiveness, which does not necessarily accurately serve the score and its inherent beauty.

Let me emphasize that As/P peform flawlessly and with more than enough virtuosity to stir one's more exuberant emotions. But Ar/R really do take it to the limit, in terms of speed, dynamics, changes of speed and dynamics, and all combined with flawless accuracy with the notes. However, the total sound of Ar/R often loses some beautifully rendered harmonic and melodic counterpoint that As/P almost always reveal.

Certainly, Ar/R also benefit from more modern recording technology that gives their performances greater presence. However, the sound recording for As/P is still first rate for its time and certainly does not hide any of the musical nuance that they bring to their performances.

Frankly, I recommend both the present Argerich/Rabinovitch and the comparable Ashkenazy/Previn performances for their unique qualities, as they both hit a "chord" in their own way. However, you will listen depending on your goal. If you want to be swept off your feet and driven wild, Argerich/Rabinovitch is your choice of the moment. If you want a no less competent, yet more studied and deeply moving experience that lingers long after you hear it, your choice is clearly Ashkenazy/Previn.