Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
Tue, Jan 17 2012, 11:36PM
One of the greatest Rachmaninov recordings of recent years has just been issued in the USA, but apparently not yet in the UK. I'd like to alert all Rachmaninophiles to it. Garrick Ohlsson is the soloist in the 3rd Piano Concerto, with the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra under Roberto Spano. The coupling is the Symphonic Dances. Total time - a few seconds under 80 minutes. I have amassed some 80 recordings of the concerto over the years and have no hesitation in counting this Ohlsson one among the top 5, by every criterion. The Sym. Dan. also are enthralling. Ohlsson has to be just about the supreme king of classical keyboard in the States just now, and the performance here is absolutely awesome, in assurance, passion, poetry, garguantuan virtuosity (he takes the bigger cadenza) and visceral thrill. Don't miss this one. It pulverises virtually all the competition. The orchestral partnership is outstandingly successful too. Spano has lavished immense care and affection on every detail in both works, and the recording quality is deeply rich and satisfying. A real triumph for all concerned.
Stuart mitchell.
Thu, Jan 19 2012, 1:56AM
#2
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
I attended a concert in Boston back in March 2004 in which this same duo - Garrick Ohlsson and Robert Spano - played the Rach 3 (only the orchestra was the BSO). It was a remarkable performance, which helped to fix Ohlsson in my mind as one of the great living pianists. It's one of those unfair things in life that his career, though certainly successful, doesn't have the éclat and star quality he deserves.
Tue, Mar 6 2012, 6:03PM
#3
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
Hi Stuart.
I find it amazing you have 80 versions of the Rachmaninov Piano 3 in your collection. Can I ask what your top five are? I myself have only one version and that is the 1972 recording by Ashkenazy under Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra. Decca SXLF 6565-7.
I thought my five versions of the Strauss Alpine Symphony and my eight versions of the Tchaikovsky Piano 2 were a good selection but not in the same league as 80. Wow.
Regards Geoff.
Tue, Mar 6 2012, 7:20PM
#4
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
I have the Ohlsson and have listened to it several times. The sound and performance are stunning. But when it comes right down to it, I would still give the edge to Martha Argerich. Her performance is genius.
Wed, Mar 7 2012, 12:44AM
#5
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
I'm stunned. Why would anybody want one recording of this let alone 80 (are there 80 in circulation?)?
Wed, Mar 7 2012, 1:07AM
#6
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
This was the first piano concerto I ever heard back in my student days. I remember being knocked out by it, and the natural sound of the recording. It was an early Ashkenazy; the conductor might have been Fistoulari.
I, too, am surprised that a collection could have 80 versions. Are there any missing? Or does 80 represent completion?
Wed, Mar 7 2012, 7:40PM
#7
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
I would doubt that 80 versions is a complete collection but must be alot of the available preformances.
You seem to be very keen on this work.
I used to work with a chap who collected recordings of Grieg's piano concerto and had a large number.
I don't think there is any work where I have more than a dozen recordings - probably one of Beethoven symphonies 3,4,5 or 7 would come top.
P
Thu, Mar 8 2012, 4:31AM
#8
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
I have just two : Ashkenazy/Haitink and my favourite : Gavrilov/Muti.
I do have however 45 recordings LP /CD/ DVD of La Traviata.
Thu, Mar 8 2012, 3:05PM
#9
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
I have just two : Ashkenazy/Haitink and my favourite : Gavrilov/Muti.
I do have however 45 recordings LP /CD/ DVD of La Traviata.
That I can understand.
Sun, Mar 18 2012, 5:09PM
#10
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
Mon, Mar 19 2012, 12:20AM
#11
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
I can add nothing to that.
Wed, Mar 21 2012, 9:42AM
#12
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
Ashkenazy/Fistoulari recorded 1963 by Decca SXL 6057.
Wed, Apr 11 2012, 3:59PM
#13
RE: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
Thank you for the comments regarding the Ohlssen/Spano/ASO Rachmaninov 3 & Symphonic Dances recording. That was an exciting set of performances and recording sessions and we were thrilled to have been involved in the production. The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra has been quite ambitious in creating ASO Media and setting a high bar for performance and production values.
Tue, Jul 31 2012, 1:16AM
#14
Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3
My favorite is Gavrilov/Muti as well. I also enjoy the Thibaudet/Cleveland.
I can understand you very well. Despite I don't completely enjoyed this particular performance due to the Atlanta S.O. and the conducting of Spano, I fully share your excitement for Ohlsson.
I personally appreciated very highly his Beethoven Piano Sonatas on Bridge: Superb piano playing, very secure and marvelous articulation, excellent dynamics, use of different glorious pianos and a bold, analytical recording with full space and ambience.
His Chopin complete works are also wonderful readings almost throughout the whole set. The Piano Concertos (as for the piano part) are greatly served, in particular.
A great and very solid pianist indeed!
Parla