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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 2 responses by megasam

megasam's avatar
megasam
798 posts
 
For current 1CD version with best combination of Sound/Performance I like Zimerman/DG concertos 1,2.
I also like the new Hough/Hyperion complete set.

For older classic 1CD versions I like Richter/DG of course and Byron Janis/Mecury, also the remastered SACD hybrid of Van Cliburn/RCA sounds very good now, more relaxed style than Richter or Janis.

For older set I stick with the Wild/Chandos
megasam's avatar
megasam
798 posts
 
More on my original post.....

The remastered Van Cliburn/Reiner/RCA hybrid Rach 2 is coupled with the famous Tchaikovsky 1 conducted by Kondrashin........even more reason to own even if not your top choice for Rach 2, sold at reduced price.

The Byron Janis/Dorati/Mercury Rach 2 now available as SACD hybrid coupled with perhaps even more famous version of Rach 3.......another essential version IMO.

Also again to agree with Texas Dave on the Zimerman/DG Rach 2 as great modern sound version.
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