Composer: Sergei Rachmaninov, Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky
Performer: Sviatoslav Richter
Orchestra: Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra, Wiener Symphoniker
Conductor: Stanislaw Wislocki, Herbert von Karajan
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Release: 2015
Size: 1.29 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Sergei Rachmaninov:
Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18
01. I. Moderato
02. II. Adagio sostenuto
03. III. Allegro scherzando
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky:
Piano Concerto No.1 In B Flat Minor, Op.23
04. I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso – Allegro con spirito
05. II. Andantino semplice – Prestissimo – Tempo I
06. III. Allegro con fuoco
Although the late Sviatoslav Richter spent his later years concentrating on Bach, Beethoven, and Haydn, he never completely abandoned the music of his native country. His reading of Rachmaninov’s most popular concerto, captured in fine late-’50s stereo, is one of the most glorious ever recorded. Richter’s amazing technique is completely up to the demands of Rachmaninov’s difficult writing, and he plays the heart-on-sleeve melodies with such refined intensity that they never sound sentimental. This performance is a truly amazing example of great pianism, very strongly supported by the fine orchestra and its little-known conductor.
Unfortunately, the accompanying Tchaikovsky is a dud. Karajan and Richter recorded this work together as a favor to a record-company executive, but they don’t seem to be in sympathy. The conductor’s excessive refinement holds the pianist back, and the result is much too restrained for the music. Never mind. The Rachmaninov alone is easily worth the price of this disc.