+1 for Volodos, and, of course, Horowitz in his various renderings.
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Interesting about the Ann Arbor connection. I heard Horowitz and Ormandy/Philly do the piece in the late seventies at the May Festival, which was Horowitz second concert after a long retirement; the first was the Concert in New York from which the recording was made. |
Speaking of the cadenza, my favorite was an old recording with Andre Watts and Ozawa (NYPO), who combined the two cadenzas--the short one for the first part, the longer one for the second part. That recording also cuts out some parts of the second and third movements, though (I think Rachmaninov himself may have made those cuts, as he often did that to his works when he worried they were too long), which I kind of like, but others may not. I heard them play the work live at Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor when I was at school in the late 60s and, have been hooked on the piece ever since. I still like Argerich/Chailly for the short cadenza, a fantastic live performance, and Ashkenazy for the longer, more brooding one.
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I haven’t heard to many new recordings over the last 15 years or so.
The first criteria should be, which cadenza? Rach wrote a short and a longer one. For me the longer, stormer one is essential, the emotional heart of the piece. The famous Horowitz recording actually uses the shorter one. My favorite was made about the same time as the Horowitz/Ormandy, with Azhkenazy/Ormandy and the Philadelphians. For the shorter cadenza, try Earl Wild/Jascha Horenstein and the Royal Philharmonic, also an audiophile recording |
The Volodos recording won numerous prizes.. for a reason! Not only is the recording quite brilliant, the performance is superlative. Definitely my favourite in an extremely crowded field.
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The Horowitz/Ormandy is one of the references Gramaphone Magazine uses to compare with others. Probably worth a listen. |
I can also recommend V. Horowitz/CSO/F Reiner for Rach 3 (RCA, 1951 recording). There is a later recording of Rach 3 with Horowitz/NYPO/Ormandy (RCA, 1978). I prefer the older version.
I have both on vinyl, so cannot give the CD refs -- sorry. |
Kitch, no the remastered Davis/CBO Berlioz Sym Fantastique is a single disc, part of new "50 greatest" series just released at mid price. Contains only Sym Fantastique like original release, no additional music.
The disc you refer to is an older Phillips "duo" release.
The "50 greatest" series was just released and uses SOTA 24/96 remastering which at least in this case delivers as advertised.
I saw several places on the internet where you can order the
complete Rach PC 1-4 Ashkenazy/Previn/Decca for under $14
as a budget priced "Decca Double" release. Life is good. |
Sam-is that the 2 cd set with Harold and Symphonie Triomphale? Really great Viola on the former and that swinging Trombone on the latter. |
Just saw that the Agerich/Chailly Rach PC 3 on Phillips is
now available in their new remastered "50 greatest" series
at mid price, however the coupling is not as good as full price original. But if you only want Rach PC 3 this is great buy. I am also looking to replace my old Kovacevich/Davis Greig PC 1 with remastered "50 greatest"
version but none of my sources have it yet.
I did recently replace my Davis/CBO Berlioz Sym. Fantasique,
with new Phillips "50 greatest" version and was impressed by remastered sound. Fortunately these are mid price, but I am afraid this is not the last CD I will upgrade! |
I guess while you're at the store, pick up the original Rach recording of Rach playing numbers 1 and 4, also Ormandy / Philadelphia. RCA 6659-2-RC. (Or through Musical Heritage Society.) http://www.musicalheritage.com/ |
OK, I am back. I dad a date in Baltimore with three other Russians. Yuri Temirkanov conducting Shostakovich #7 and Sergei Babayan playing Bach Piano Concerto #1 (also Yuri conducting).
I was not kidding about the old Rachmaninov recording. It is sonically only fair (recorded 12/4/39), but the performance is by the Rach himself, so it is worth having as a reference. With Ormandy / Philadelphia RCA 5997-2-RC (also available on the Musical Heritage Society label). Also includes Rach playing #2 with Philadelphia / Stokowski (recorded 4/10/29).
My modern pick of Rach #3 is Santiago Rodriguez playing with the Sofia Philharmonic, conducted by Emil Tabakov on Elan label CD2220. Be careful, there is another Rach #3 Rodriguez on Elan with Lake Forest Symphony.
I am very interested in hearing the Volodos recording. I heard him play the Prokofiev #2 live in person a couple months ago. Best I have ever heard of that work.
Not familiar with the Ashkenazy/Previn Rach #3, but their recording of the Rach #2 in 1972 is the best Rach #2 IMHO (London Jubilee 417-702-2 and a newer pressing).
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I am listening Arcadi Volodos on live recording with Levine/ Berlin Phil.O. Best so far! |
Sugerbrie,
I guess I mean your favorite recording. I listened to two Cliburn semi-finalists last night perform this piece with the Fort Worth Symphony. I would like to own a good recording of this beautiful but difficult piece.
Joel |
Ashkenazy is a good all around choice no one will argue with. As Kitch29 says get the Previn/Decca series from the 1970s, you can get budget double disc with all four concertos. Ashkenazy also has 1980s set with Haitink/Decca,
and although performances are good the early digital sound quality is inferior to Previn set. Also pass on the Ashkenazy "decca legends" 2/3 cocerto disc from the 1960s, I was dissapointed with sound here.
I think the Wild/Horenstein complete set on Chandos budget line is also right near the top, very good sound and Earl Wild has much panache, will not dissappoint.
My top choice for Rach 3rd piano concerto is Agerich/Chailly
on Phillips label (sorry full price CD) a live recording that is spectacular combined with an equally great performance of Tchaikovsky piano concerto 1 with Kondrashin. This is a disc that every classical musical lover must own! |
Sugarbrie-reminds me of the scene in Annie Hall where the pedantic college professor is telling Kurt Vonnegut (unknowingly) that Vonnegut can't write! I'm partial to Vladimir Ashkenazy with the LSO and Previn on London 444-839-2. Great performance and good recording. Takes a Russian although Byron Janis on Mercury is another good choice. |
Best how?? There is a recording by Rachmaninoff. Sounds like crap considering it's 70 years old. Can't argue with the interpretation considering. I'll get back later with more. |
