Serge Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4/Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini

Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Edo de Waart (Conductor), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Rafael Orozco (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Rafael Orozco
• Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Edo de Waart
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov
• Audio CD (October 12, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B000004167
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,037 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #38 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > Composers > Rachmaninov, Sergei

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best set of the Rachmaninoff concerti you could buy!, April 28, 2004

By 

A Humble Musician (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Serge Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4/Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini (Audio CD)

Since the beginning of April (2004), I've gone on a little quest to find the best Rachmaninoff concerto recording available. I've listened to probably 20 different recordings in this time, but Orozco's stunning performance tops them all.

Now, this may be a matter of musical taste. Technically, the pianist is as close to perfect as one could wish for, but musically he provides a very unique interperetation. I don't think he plays as Rachmaninoff would - Orozco has a very soft touch, delicate and precise even in the greatest climaxes. What is most beautiful is the way he hits every note with a powerful assurance - where some pianists will equate "pianissimo" with "timid," Orozco brings a fine clarity to every passage which truly brings out the beautiful melodies Rachmaninoff has written.

As far as recording quality is concerned, I rather enjoy it. Many performances and recordings today are made to impress and awe with loud noises and tidal waves of furious sound. This recording is a very welcome break from that trend - the music here is both subtle and ultimately perfect.

My greatest criticism is that the orchestra is not particularly at ease with the music. It is somewhat mechnical and even apathetic to the music which Orozco so beautifully produces, at times. In the second movement, the flute is even slightly out of tune...

Irregardless, this is undoubdtedly my favorite CD set. Orozco's performance here is unforgettable.

In comparison with other recordings, I have not yet heard a better rendition of the first or third concertos (not including Rachmaninoff's own recordings, but those have much worse recording quality). For the second concerto, Orozco's only equals that I have heard are Arthur Rubinstein and William Kapell. Rubinstein's playing is very beautiful, with a more romantic interperetation. Kapell's playing is icy and stark, but the effect is still wonderful to behold (although I turn to Orozco or Rubinstein much more often when listening to the concerto). For the fourth concerto, Michelangeli's recording is probably better - the orchestra plays much more naturally with the piano, and Michelangeli himself gives a stunning reading of the piece.

Now that you've read this long review, you might as well buy the set. It's well worth your money!

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best since Rachmaninoffs own recorded performances!, January 28, 2005

By 

Max R. Garcia - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serge Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4/Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini (Audio CD)

Performed Here are all 5 of Rachmaninov's works for Piano and Orchestra. This is the best performances I have heard of each of these pieces, and I have heard many.

Until this recording, I held the Argerich/Chailly Rach 3 as the best performance/recording of that concerto. Although Argerich had used an alternate first movement cadenza (and in my opinion a simplified version) she still managed to sneak in a few wrong notes. But it was generally well done. The only other performance of Rach 3 I will mention is Kissin/Ozawa, wich is a great performance, although the tempo's and rythm's here struggle to not be rock solid. You could almost swear that it was Mozart playing Rachmaninoff on that recording. If you can convince yourself of this, its very amuzing to listen to.

Now that I've made it clear of my search for the definitive Rach 3 recording, here we are. Orozco gives us the original, non edited version of the Rach 3, along with the original cadenza of famed difficulty, flawlessly executed, and with style. At no point do I sense the pianists struggle with this monster of a cadenza, as I do with all other recordings of the Rach 3 (except for Rachmaninov's own recording, of course). The one thing that sets this performance of the Rach 3 apart from all other attempts at it, is that its played here not only marvelously (like most other recordings), but without Flaw!

Until hearing this recording, I held the Cliburn/Reiner recording of the Rach 2 as the best performance/recording of that concerto. Although I still very much admire it, I have heard things in Orozco's performance that I have not heard in the others. Lots of small details that I can only describe as being articles that have fallen victim to petty theft in the hands of other pianists.

As for the first and fourth concerto, they are the first clean attempt, in my opinion, at their final revisions. They come vividly to life in Orozco's hands, second only to Rachmaninov's own recordings, most of wich are not final revisions. I can finally appreciate Rachmaninov's fourth. Here it is presented without distortion and without mistakes. You can peacefully listen to Orozco show us how Rachmaninov took this beautiful theme tore it to pieces slowly, trampled all over it, and attempted to put it all back together and frame it up on a wall.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars With Rachmaninoff, every note counts!, March 16, 2004

By 

Mark G. Williamson (Memphis, TN United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Serge Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 1-4/Rhapsody On A Theme By Paganini (Audio CD)

I have purchased many recordings of Rachmaninoff's concerti and Rhapsody in my time and must say this is one of the best complete sets available on the market, period.
Why?
Rachmaninoff was a pianist's composer (of course, being one of the greatest pianists of the early 20th century helped), and with his piano music there is so much going on at one time that it is essential that every note must sound. I have heard numerous recordings of these works, particularly in the Second Concerto, where the orchestral sound during the big ending climaxes so overwhelms the piano that one can barely hear what is being played. With this recording every chord is there, and the listener who is not familiar with the printed scores (I own most of Rachmaninoff's printed music and know what to listen for) gets the full impact of exactly what Rachmaninoff wrote. There is no blurring wash of sound like on so many other recordings. True, as one other reviewer mentioned, the recorded SOUND could be better, but whoever the technician was who was monitering the balance during these recording sessions should be applauded. Absolutely stunning.