RACHMANINOFF PIANO CONCERTO 2

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.

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

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.

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.

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.