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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
gregm
3,396 posts
 
Try Richter for Rach-2 and Horowitz for Rach-3 (both recordings). The sound is OK (except for Horowitz '30s recording) and the performance superb.
rcprince
3,060 posts
 
I also like the Richter on DG, a very idiosyncratic performance (he starts it slower than anyone and ends it up faster!). And Ashkenazy, of course, particularly the 1971 version Sugarbrie mentions from his first cycle. Forget sonics on this piece, the performance is what makes these worth getting.
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
sall4's avatar
sall4
21 posts
 
I have the Wild version with Horenstein/LSO on Chesky. It is a great performance, and sound is ok for a 40 year old recording. Check it out if you have the chance.
texasdave
144 posts
 
I second the recommendation of the classic Cliburn/Reiner performance on RCA Living Stereo, which has excellent sound, and I also recommend the Ashkenazy/Haitink digital version on Decca/London, which also has excellent sound. My recommendation among more recent versions would be Zimerman/Ozawa on DG (recorded in 2000)--again, excellent sound, and an eloquent performance.
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