Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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!

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.

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.

I own 15 or so recordings of the 3rd concerto and i can seriously say that this one is my favourite. Technically the performance is remarkable and musically, many parts are breathtaking, especially the cadenza in the first movement. My Other favourite recording is the one by Janis/Munch(RCA) and a close third would be the recording by Thibaudet/Ashkenazy.

The Second concerto on this disc is also well played although it is mediocre compared to the likes of Earl Wild or Jean Yves-Thibaudet.
I enjoyed the first concerto very much although i do not often listen to other recordings of this work. I also enjoyed Earl Wild's interpretation but other than that, i am out of my element.
I never listen to the fourth concerto so i'm not even going to try to review it.
Lastly, the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is played well and i have found it to be one of my favourites.

Overall this 2 disc set is a great bargain at the price of most single cds. Even if you don't like the first and fourth concertos, buy this cd for the Third concerto alone. It is worth the price. I listen to this recording every day and i never get tired of it!

Listen to this CD on your car stereo or computer. Don't play it on you Bang & Olufson or you'll be sorely disappointed. The sound is not very crisp and the whole CD seems to lack clarity.

It's true you get what you pay for, and this CD is a perfect example. I'd not heard two of Rachmaninoff's piano conchertos before nor all of the rhapsody on a theme by Paganini. I'm very pleased with the music selection, so now I can find an expensive, high-quality recording confident that I like the music. I'll keep this CD in my office where I play it on my computer and put the good CD in the living room where I have a decent stereo.

In short, this CD is reasonable value for money, but it's a cheap CD.

I am slowly building my classical collection and this is one of the most important recordings I have purchased yet. It is as essential as Beethoven's Symphonies. No kidding. Simply put on the first disc and listen as the singular notes struck on the keyboard grow into a powerful tidal wave of sound. What I love about Rachmaninov is that his tonal structure and use of minor keys compliments my melancholy personality. This music is absolutely amazing.

Essential.

My first real introduction to Rachmaninoff, and a wonderful one it is. I have some trouble getting into Concertos 1 and 4, but I have listened to 2 and 3 many times. Each movement could stand on its own and is a torrent of emotions that take you to the brink and pull you back and sometimes push you over. I also have another Orozco performance of another Russian composer, Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition, and he is a gifted pianist.

Perhaps the greatest virtue of this recording set is that it very nicely comes with the complete set of Rachmaninoff works for Piano and orchestra, but other than that, unfortunately, it counts for little else.

Technically, the playing is solid. However, the interpretation has less soul to it than I would really like in such deep music as this. Many beautiful sections of music are glossed over, such as the opening of the Fourth Concerto, the opening of the Rhapsody, and other parts.

As a complete set, this recording is at best a bargain set with bargain priced playing and sound... However, if you are looking for interpretations of the individual pieces included, each one has at least several more satisfying recordings available. Looking for a complete set is now much easier--check out Nikolai Lugansky's complete set for only about $2 more, last I checked.

Sergei Rachmaninoff's music for piano and orchestra is easy to love. Its lyrical romanticism and connections with successors that lead even to jazz piano tend to be accessible to contemporary listeners. It is some of the most stirring music ever written, though it does not earn the respect of work written by canonical masters of the genre like Mozart and Beethoven.

When you pair this music with Edo de Waart's baton (now in Hong Kong), Rafael Orozco's keyboard, and the always dependable Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, you've got a situation where artistic ripe fruit is hanging low for the picking.

After you've loved this double CD recording to death, make it a project to introduce someone who needs orchestral music in her life but doesn't see it yet. Rachmaninoff might just be the doorway.

Lovely, lovely music, perhaps even for hearts worn flat by pop culture's single track.

As a reviewer said below (I 100% agree), technically, the pianist's technique is virtually godlike (Czifra-like technique). Maybe musically he provides a unique interperetation... but in a positive way! After listeting to about 10 versions of Rachman.concertos, I found the Orozco interpretation and understanding of the concertos to be far the superior!! Originally I had no idea about this recording and wanted to go with Kissin or Kondrashin etc. Also because the quality of this recording is not the top one (but it is not that bad - I just call it "philips sound"). To conclude, to me this is finally the kind of interpretation which makes me stand up from the chair and which makes me chill. Like Heifetz on violin. The performance has unbelievable emotional drive - Orozco is unbelievable. Kissin pales beside him, really.