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RACHMANINOFF PIANO CONCERTO 2

I recently purchased Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2
SACD version by PentaTone Classics which has The Piano Concerto # 2 and Paganini's Theme. I was very disappointed with the performance and sound quality. Can anybody recommend a CD or SACD that has better sound? I have thought of the 4 cd box set of the 4 Piano concertos played by Stephen Hough as well as Earl Wild, but would prefer an excellend sounding # 2. Don't want the #1 & #4.
Any feedback would be sincerely appreciated.
kjl

Showing 1 response by lousyreeds1

lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1
286 posts
 
Van Cliburn and Ashkenazy are the two standards. I like both of those more than Rachmaninoff's own recording (which I have on 78!)

This is one of the pieces that I come back to over and over. The haunting melody that reoccurs in all the movements just kills me. Those who've heard it know exactly what I'm talking about. And that moment of silence at the very end of the last movement, right after the cadenza, just before the orchestra comes back in full force? Aaaaaaaaah.

I'd love to hear Bernstein play this. Does anybody know of a recording?
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