Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Pianist Corner Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto Recordings

What are you favourite recordings of each of the conertos plus the Paganini Rhapsody?

As a set of 4 concertoes, I most prefer the performance of ( Tamas Vasary ) with London Phil.

My favourite for a single concertoe though would be Argerich or Volodos.

Manitou - Pianist - Technician

Can't go wrong with Rachmaninoff playing Rachmaninoff. There's no BS in his playing - crisp, clear, and very straightforward.

Two recent d minor concerti that I liked were Volodos and Pletnev. Very different takes; Volodos is balls out all the way with a big tone, Pletnev's is more refined but still delivered with plenty of verve.

Another vote for Vasary here. A vastly underrated pianist -- if you can find his collected Chopin, grab it!

I also like another sleeper - Augustin Anievas - for the 2nd Concerto. The Richter is pretty fine as well.

I have never heard a recording of the 3rd that I find wholly satisfying, but the Vasary comes pretty close.

I agree with Brendan, you can't go wrong with Rachmaninoff's own stellar performances. Despite dated sound and cuts, it's still the best complete set on the market. One piece of advice, get the NAXOS version, better remastering than RCA's version, and the price can't be beat.

Individual Rachmaninoff Concertos of note:

1st:
Janis/Reiner, Chicago Symphony, RCA

2nd:
Moiseiwitsch/Ringold, Philharmonia Orchestra, Phillips
Kapell/Steinberg, Robin Hood Dell Orchestra, RCA

3rd:
Horowitz/Reiner, RCA Victor Symphony Orhestra, RCA
Janis/Munch, Boston Symphony Orchestra, RCA

4th:
Michelangeli/Gracis, Philharmonia Orchestra, EMI

Paganini Rhapsody:
Moiseiwitsch/Cameron, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Naxos
Kapell/Reiner, Robin Hood Dell Orchestra, RCA

I love Rachmaninoff playing his own 2nd, however, I am not a fan of his third (largely because of the cuts).

For the third, Argerich does an excellent recording, and the cadenza of the first movement is like quicksilver....it's really cool.

I would also like to vouch for the Volodos...he has a big sound that seems very appropriate and accurate.

Hank, I agree totally with your individual recording selections. I love the Moiseiwitsch and feel that his recordings are better than Rachmaninoff's. Michelangeli made the 4th sound better than it is (much better ). I do have to say, though, that I find the Vasary set very satisfying to listen to. For the 3rd concerto I might also add Ashkenazy with Fistulari. I haven't heard it for a long time, but I remember really liking it.

Ryan

If you're patient, wait for Stephen Hough's live recording of all 5 concertos, to be recorded with the Dallas Symphony in April and May of 2004 and to be released later that year. Like I said, if you're patient.

Another Vote for the Vasary / London collection. I find the d minor in the collection to be performed a little on the 'careful' side (in contrast to Helfgott's more (imho) reckless approach, if such a thing can be said), but the c minor recording can't be beat. Vasary's performance on an amazing sounding piano, coupled with an incredibly well balanced recording, make this one of my absolute favorites - worth a listen and more!

Holy...

Where did you hear this?

If it's true that hough is recording them, then I'm gonna spend all year looking forward to that. I love his SaintSaens 2nd. He is one of my Favorite living pianists.

Anyhow...

Concerto 1 - Earl Wild
Rachmaninoff


Concerto 2 - Richter
Janis
Gutierrez


Concerto 3 - Weissenberg
Orozco
Cliburn
Gutierrez


Concerto 4 - Earl Wild
Thibaudet

Ditto. That's gonna be sweet (if it's true).

Thanks for the recommendations everyone. I'll read about a bit more and then let you know what I get.

Am I the only person here that thinks he only wrote 4 piano concerti? If there is a 5th, please let me know so I can get hold of it!

Gary.

There are five if you count the Paganini Rhapsody which really is a one-movement concerto.

The Paganini has never been called a concertoe, that I know of...

Manitou - Pianist - Technician

Well I knew it from a couple of different sources, but the most obvious one would be that I attended the concert where the Rhapsody was recorded back in June, and Litton came out and announced the new recording project. So actually I should say the Rhapsody is already done, and he's going to be recording the rest in April & May.

You should buy tickets for the concert and head on down! It's going to be cool to be in the audience for the album.

http://www.stephenhough.com/performances.htm

Great, a live recording. I have a lot of respect for that. Plus, with such an ensemble-heavy piece like the Rhapsody, that's really brave. Some of the best recordings that I've heard of the Third Concerto (Argerich, Volodos, and Horowitz) were live. There's definitely something to be said for the energy in all of their performances. I don't think that it could be found in a closed recording session.

Brendan, you SOOO forgot to mention Lang Lang in your list!

Heh...

He was actually in the area last week and played a recital at Miami University (Oxford, OH). I thought about going but decided against it when I heard that he was playing the Wanderer and Don Juan Fantasies on the same program.