Customer Reviews

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a marvelous collection. There were a few pieces I wish that it would include, such as the rest of his Piano Concerto No.2, or perhaps The Rock, but the fact that the performances are generally great and the recording quality is near-perfect makes up for that.

I would recommend this to anyone who is just starting to become interested in the works of Sergei Rachmaninov.

This is actually not a bad collection of Greatest Hits. Usually the problem with collections like these is that they have bad recordings and not very good performances but some of these ones are actually okay, and it features performances by Yo-Yo Ma and Emanuel Ax among others. In general these are the works of art you think of when you think of Rachmaninoff and so these pieces are a perfect representation of his style.

This is one of the best I own. The music is so great, hard to explain...so moving, especially the first track. It reminds me of Russia a lot. I listen to it everyday while driving to work. I highly recommend it.

Despite the funky name and cover art, this has become a favorite. There are selections not included on other collections, and they are so beautifully executed. The "Vocalise" is utterly entrancing.

Presented in this compilation CD is a selection of Rachmaninoff's greatest hits that the gifted composer penned from 1897 through early 1940s as performed by various orchestras including Tchaikovsky Chamber Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Israel Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra. The performers are from amongst the circle of finest classical musicians such as cellist Yo-Yo Ma, pianists Philippe Entremont, Yefim Bronfman, Vladimir Feltsman, Emanuel Ax, Ruth Laredo and the duo of Tal & Groethuysen. The skilled conductors who made sure that all the pieces are rendered perfectly are Eugene Ormandy, Zubin Mehta, Lazar Gosman and Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Rachmaninoff was born in Semyonovo, Russia on April 1, 1873. He enrolled at the Moscow Conservatory in 1885 and after more than ten years, his first symphony was premiered but was not well-received by the listening public. This greatly affected him and as a result, he fell into depression that stopped him from composing. But after being treated by a hypnotist to remedy his sadness and despondency, he bounced back in 1900 and composed one of the most beautiful pieces in the history of classical music and this is my very favorite from this collection, "Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 - Third Movement, Allegro Scherzando." It is performed here by a brilliant pianist, Yefim Bronfman, with the Philharmonia Orchestra under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen. It is almost twelve minutes of glorious and magical musical splendor. I loved it to death from the first note to the very last. If you would listen with your undivided attention, I am certain that you will also be moved by its sheer beauty and magnificence. Rachmaninoff performed this concerto on December 15, 1900 and was well-applauded by the audiences. As a result, the entire concerto was premiered the following year in 1901 and brought back Rachmaninoff's enthusiasm and confidence in composing. Who wouldn't be touched by this stunning masterpiece?

The rest of the lovely pieces that I can listen to with a few repeats are "Rhapsody On A Theme by Paganini" which he composed in 1934, "Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14" and "Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement, Adagio."

On March 28, 1943, three days before his 70th birthday, Rachmaninoff lost his battle with cancer in Beverly Hills, California and finally met his Creator. I could imagine that he was welcomed by a host of heavenly angels playing violins and humming one of his greatest hits from this collection. "Vocalise," perhaps?

I was first exposed to Rachmaninoff through the movie "Somewhere In Time", starring Christopher Reeves. The score titled 18th Variation was the most romantic melody I have ever heard. I am a novice when it comes to classical music but this composition captured my imagination, so I set out to find out more about Rachmaninoff. YO YO Ma performes the 18th Variation and it surpasses my expectations. As with most things favored it ends too soon. The remainder of the CD is nice-I am pleased.

Some times it is difficult to select a piece of music that is perfect to have in the back ground while having a dinner party, this CD is perfect it is melodic, romantic and easy to listen to. I like to have it on full volume while preparing dinner and having a wee glass of wine!

The cover is misleading. It lists the 2nd piano concerto but the CD only has a small part of the concerto on it.