Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov
Performer: Inon Barnatan
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Pentatone
Catalogue: PTC5187113
Release: 2023
Size: 1.16 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Symphonic Dances Op. 45
01. No. 1, Non Allegro
02. No. 2, Andante con moto. Tempo di valse
03. No. 3, Lento assai – Allegro vivace
Moments Musicaux, Op. 16
04. No. 1, Andantino in B-Flat Minor
05. No. 2, Allegretto in E-Flat Minor
06. No. 3, Andante cantabile in B Minor
07. No. 4, Presto in E Minor
08. No. 5, Andante sostenuto in D-Flat Major
09. No. 6, Maestoso in C Major
14 Romances, Op. 34
10. No. 16, Vocalise (Arr. for Piano by )
Preludes, Op. 32
11. No. 12, Prelude in G-Sharp Minor
The major attraction on this release by pianist Inon Barnatan is the opening work, an arrangement by the pianist of Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances, Op. 45, for one piano. The composer arranged the work for two pianos and even played it on one himself; the impetus for the new arrangement was that Barnatan, at loose ends during the COVID-19 pandemic, heard a bootleg recording of the composer playing through the work to introduce it to conductor Eugene Ormandy. Barnatan investigated the recording deeply and made an arrangement of his own. It is remarkably detailed, showing the results of the months of work Barnatan put in on it, and it may well inspire other pianists to take it up. That is not the end of the pleasures here, either. The Moments Musicaux, Op. 16, are early works that elaborate upon earlier kinds of short piano pieces with considerable virtuosity, and Barnatan’s playing is clear and shows no sign of stress. Two shorter pieces round out the collection. It is a bit odd that so many pianists like to take over the Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14, a work that derives its appeal from the challenges it poses for a singer. However, the final Prelude in G sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12, leaves the listener in a dreamy mood. Pianists and lovers of the same should absolutely hear Barnatan’s new version of the Symphonic Dances here.
Inon Barnatan presents Rachmaninoff Reflections, offering some of the composer’s most cherished piano works, including his Moments musicaux, Prelude in G-Sharp Minor and Barnatan’s own arrangement of the Vocalise. Centrepiece of this project is Barnatan’s breathtaking new piano arrangement of the Symphonic Dances. Inon Barnatan is one of the most admired pianists of his generation (New York Times). His Pentatone discography consists of Time Traveler’s Suite (2021), Beethoven’s complete cello sonatas with Alisa Weilerstein (2022), as well as complete recordings of Beethoven’s piano concertos together with the Academy of St Martin in the Fields and Alan Gilbert (2019 and 2020).