Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov
Performer: Vladimir Ashkenazy
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Decca
Release: 1976
Size: 2.55 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
5 Morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3
01. 2. Prelude in C-Sharp Minor
10 Préludes, op. 23
02. No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor (Largo)
03. No. 2 in B-Flat Major (Maestoso)
04. No. 3 in D Minor (Tempo di minuetto)
05. No. 4 in D Major (Andante cantabile)
06. No. 5 in G Minor (Alla marcia)
07. No. 6 in E-Flat Major (Andante)
08. No. 7 in C Minor (Allegro)
09. No. 8 in A-Flat Major (Allegro vivace)
10. No. 9 in E-Flat Minor (Presto)
11. No. 10 in G-Flat Major (Largo)
13 Préludes, op. 32
12. No. 1 in C Major (Allegro vivace)
13. No. 2 in B-Flat Minor (Allegretto)
14. No. 3 in E Major (Allegro vivace)
15. No. 4 in E Minor (Allegro con brio)
16. No. 5 in G Major (Moderato)
17. No. 6 in F Minor (Allegro appassionato)
18. No. 7 in F Major (Moderato)
19. No. 8 in A Minor (Vivo)
20. No. 9 in A Major (Allegro moderato)
21. No. 10 in B Minor (Lento)
22. No. 11 in B Major (Allegretto)
23. No. 12 in G-Sharp Minor (Allegro)
24. No. 13 in D-Flat Major (Grave – Allegro – Grave)
The simple fact of the matter is that, compared with all previous releases of Ashkenazy’s stupendous 1974-1975 recordings of Rachmaninov’s 24 Preludes, this 96kHz 24-bit remastering is vastly better. Where the original LP release was warm and lush but a tad hazy, and earlier CD releases were warm and lush but a bit hard, this CD release is warm and lush — but also clear and bright as polished crystal. Thus, while Ashkenazy’s luminous lyricism, soulful sensuality, and blazing virtuosity are as manifest as ever — and few pianists have ever matched him for these qualities in this repertoire — what had previously seemed like his unfortunate tendency to overpedal in heavier textures is here shown to be a flaw in earlier releases, not his playing. More significantly, the remastering allows the colors and nuances of Ashkenazy’s performances to sound more cleanly and accurately. In the hard-charging B flat major Prelude, the delicately radiant G sharp minor Prelude, even the played-to-death C sharp minor Prelude, Ashkenazy’s playing seems much more subtle and dazzling — which, considering his performances have long been considered among the deepest and strongest ever recorded, is quite an achievement. Everyone who treasures Rachmaninov’s music should hear this release — whether they’ve heard the earlier releases or not.