Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov Concertos | Sergey Rachmaninov, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, ...

Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov Concertos | Sergey Rachmaninov, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, ... | What do you expect from 1941? It's still GENIUS!

classical music:

Tchaikovsky and Ra...

	Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov Concertos Sergey Rachmaninov, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, ... APR, 2004 average customer review:based on 7 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

The concerto recordings that Horowitz made with his tyrannical father-in-law, Arturo Toscanini, are depressingly rigid, and others are disappointing in their currently available versions. APR's well-transferred pairing of these two concertos closely associated with Horowitz is, however, highly desirable. They're live recordings from 1940 and 1941, capturing him in full flight, playing with spontaneity, feverish energy, and stunning brio. --Dan Davis

Yes, the sound quality isn't great, but ...

frankly, the rachmaninoff recording that is on this disc, is, in my opinion, the most impressive musical performance I have ever been privileged to hear. In contrast with his other recordings of the work, which are all very special, horowitz plays with with true fire, not holding himself back like he did in the celebrated '51 recording. The coda of the finale is absolutely breathtaking. Not without reason did Gramophone describe this as the Rachmaninoff's third to end all Rachmaninoff's thirds. The intensity is simply astonishing. The Tchaikovsky is another fine performance, but personally I prefer his 1943 recording with Toscaninni. Now, about the sound quality, it is slightly off-putting in the coda of the Tchaikovsky finale, and for a moment in the Rachmaninoff intermezzo. But, for goodness sake, to quibble about this when presented with such brilliance is petulence itself.

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What do you expect from 1941? It's still GENIUS!

This has to be one of the best Rach 3s ever performed, recorded or not. It has a similar intensity to it as did Vladimir Ovchinikov's Rach 2 in the final of the Leeds 1987 competition (for those lucky enough to have seen/heard this). Totally mesmerizing. And for those who quibble at the quality, what do you expect from a 1941 recording? We are so lucky to have this recording AT ALL! Buy, and recommend like crazy!

Best ever Rach 3 cadenza

Concerning the Rachmaninoff 3rd Concerto with Horowitz and Barbirolli...

The reviewer who said this is a recording for Horowitz fanatics who want to punish themselves is clearly not a pianist. They also never made it to the cadenza (wow!).

However, because of the aged audio quality, I do not recommend this CD for someone who does not appreciate music for its own sake. If your recordings have to be perfectly clear, then you might try the very good recordings by Byron Janis or Martha Argerich. There are also some minor cuts made here which are somewhat irksome when you know and enjoy the entire piece.

It is the difference between fast piano playing without a strong sense of purpose (e.g. Argerich) and fast piano playing with great power that makes this recording worth listening to. Horowitz does not give us a senseless reading of virtuosity here. He pours out his heart in much the same way Rachmaninoff did in his own recording of his first concerto (which I also highly recommend, noise and all). It is almost like the soloist and the music became one, a rare occurrance in a multitude of recordings.

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Great performance if you can hear it

I have no problems with the musical performance, and was thrilled to be able to hear something performed by such a master. Although there is a disclaimer, as mentioned, I have to agree that the recording quality is awful. The popping and hissing is so bad in places that it is nearly impossible to hear the performance. I have since purchased other recordings so that I can hear the music without interruption. If you want this recording to be able to hear how Horowitz performs these pieces, I would recommend this CD. If you want this to be your only recording of these pieces, get another CD.

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