Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), David Zinman (Conductor), Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Horacio Gutiérrez (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Horacio Gutiérrez
• Orchestra: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: David Zinman
• Composer: Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Sergey Rachmaninov
• Audio CD (July 13, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Telarc
• ASIN: B000003CVJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,655 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Artistry, but Sound Quality Could be Better, March 22, 2004

By 

MJT (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Audio CD)

I'm generally quite a fan of both Gutierrez (whose style -- a combination of magnificent technical accuracy and an expansive range of expression -- is well-suited to the pieces on this disc) and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and both are in top form on this album. Unfortunately, the sound quality is somewhat lacking (an unusual lapse for Telarc); both the piano and the orchestra lack a certain clarity that one can usually expect from Telarc recordings, and sound a bit flattened at times. Nevertheless, this is still quite a worthy album, and a wonderful performance (as usual) from both the orchestra and the pianist.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Amongst the best renditions...BUT beware..., February 2, 2010

By 

Brother John (The O.C.) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Audio CD)

This is Horacio Gutierrez's second recording of the Tchaikovsky concerto - the first being with Andre Previn and the LSO in the 70's. A superb, lyrical account. This one is very much in the same manner. It will remind one of a combination of Cliburn's fire and Rubinstein's poetry. Chiseled perfection. The Rachmaninoff is also one of the best in many years. Rather than going off the deep end with its virtuosity, HG, brings sensible and musical sonorities with the right amount of spontaneity and spark of both works. This should be a 5+ rating all the way.

The problem being the recording itself, which is a borderline disaster! A very unusual lapse for Telarc. Not unlike their other recordings, Telarc engineers had compressed the high frequencies - but to a severe degree, as the sound picture is very flat. One will want to completely turn up the treble settings! But also, the overall capture of the orchestra is just not there. Everything sounds like it coming through a foggy swamp. In fact, at worst, the orchestra's hardly audible. It seems sandwiched underneath the piano. To top it off, it's just too dry.

I understand this is one of the Telarc's first recordings in Baltimore and the acoustic in its Symphony Hall was obviously problematic. Fortunately, things improved substantially over the years and the very fine Baltimore players shine through in other performances by Telarc (as in the Rachmaninoff symphonies, also with Zinman).

Anyone seeking Gutierrez' superb earlier version of the Tchaikovsky might be able to find it in a budget priced EMI two-fer (nla) or an import with the Tchaikovsky's violin concerto. Much better sound quality. (So. Cal. classical music listeners will remember Gutierrez' EMI Tchaikovsky concerto recording as the bumper music to KFAC FM's Evening Concert broadcasts...)

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1 and Rach. Rhapsody, April 15, 2010

By 

G. Burke "gburke" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1; Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Audio CD)

Horacio Gutierrez is phenomenal. He plays both pieces flawlessly and the interpretations are marvelous taking the listener on a powerful journey every time surrounded by perfection in the lyrical expressions. The recordings are of the highest quality. The notes from the piano can be heard clearly