Track Listing

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: No. 1, Moderato
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: No. 2, Adagio sostenuto
3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: No. 3, Allegro scherzando
4. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso - Allegro con spirito
5. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: Andantino simplice - Prestissimo
6. Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23: Allegro con fuoco

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #12662 in Music
• Released on: 1996-02-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com essential recording
Although the late Sviatoslav Richter spent his later years concentrating on Bach, Beethoven, and Haydn, he never completely abandoned the music of his native country. His reading of Rachmaninov's most popular concerto, captured in fine late-'50s stereo, is one of the most glorious ever recorded. Richter's amazing technique is completely up to the demands of Rachmaninov's difficult writing, and he plays the heart-on-sleeve melodies with such refined intensity that they never sound sentimental. This performance is a truly amazing example of great pianism, very strongly supported by the fine orchestra and its little-known conductor. Unfortunately, the accompanying Tchaikovsky is a dud. Karajan and Richter recorded this work together as a favor to a record-company executive, but they don't seem to be in sympathy. The conductor's excessive refinement holds the pianist back, and the result is much too restrained for the music. Never mind. The Rachmaninov alone is easily worth the price of this disc. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

This review applies only to the Rachmaninov Piano #2
It was Rachmaninov who seduced me into classical music. It was my first hearing of Richter's earlier version that hooked me forever on both Rachmaninov and classical music (I have searched for Richter's Piano Concerto #2 with the Moscow National Symphony Orchestra, with the conductor Kiril Kondrashin, for several years on disc. If anyone knows how I might locate a copy please e-mail me, very much appreciated.) When I hear this version I inevitably feel the profoundest exhileration run through my veins. I don't find Richter's version sentimental, perhaps darkly romantic, but rather a stirring and stimulating encounter. I remember lying in bed as a young man and listening to this concerto (Richter's earlier version) and being totally absorbed and distant from all else. My musical taste is eclectic but if I had to choose only one type of music, it would be classical music, and that would be largely due to Rachmaninov and Richter. This piece breathes with an emotional intelligence unafraid to go over the edge, and then some. So far, Richter's interpretations remain at the top of the chart in interpretation and execution.

A classic of the gramophone
The Second Concerto has been recorded more times than perhaps any other piano concerto, but one interpretation stands head and shoulders above all others; indeed it remains one of the most magnificent recordings of classical music ever made. This is the legendary 1959 account by the great Soviet pianist Sviatoslav Richter, superbly remastered on Deutsche Grammophon, coupled with Richter's equally famous (albeit controversial) version of the Tchaikovsky First concerto.

The Rachmaninov is quite simply the most moving, the most exciting, and the most beautiful performance ever recorded. Richter's pianism in the slow movement is fabulous, and the Finale (taken at a cracking pace) makes others seem dull by comparison.

The Tchaikovsky concerto is not quite in the same league, although Richter's playing makes it seem more profound than normal. He and Karajan appear not to have agreed over certain tempi, but it is a fascinating performance nonetheless.

Sound throughout is glowing. At mid-price, this CD should be in the collection of every music lover.

Also, don't miss Richter's wonderful Dvorak Concerto (a beautiful piece) coupled with Schubert on EMI.

A performance that will live as long as recorded music
There is nearly unanimous consensus that Richter's 1959 recording of the Rachmaninov 2nd rises to a height challenged only by the composer himself. Richter's ability to play the fastest passagework while moving from soft to loud and back again is breathtaking--speed doesn't change his control over dynamics one bit. But that's to pick out a single aspect of a performance that is by turns noble, lyrical, passionate, and poetic. One could spend the whole performance marveling just at the independence of Richter's two hands. He rescues this thrice-familiar work from its fulsome reputation. Rowicki conducts well, but the recorded sound is thin, and the Warsaw Phil. decidedly provincial. None of which matters a bit.

Reviewers here echo the Amazon critic in disparaging the Tchaikovsky First from 1963, although it is in better sound than the Rchmaninov and played better by the orchestra, too--Karajan had a special relationship with the Vienna Sym., a sorry ensemble under most conductors. I like this performance a great deal. Richter isn't highly individual--he plays for strength and dignity in the first movement, not for Horowitz's burn-down-the-house virtuosity, and in the last movement he applies restrained delicacy. Since the Tchaikovsky First is the deadest of dead horses to me, I liked hearing such thoughtful musicality. As for Richter and Karajan being on different pages, they sound together to me. Taste, what can you say? Five stars for both performances.