Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: Moderato; Allegro
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: Adagio sostenuto
3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: Allegro scherzando
4. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30: Allegro ma non tanto
5. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30: Intermezzo: Adagio
6. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30: Finale: Alla breve

Disc 2:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1: Vivace
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1: Andante
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1: Allegro vivace
4. Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40: Allegro vivace
5. Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40: Largo
6. Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40: Allegro vivace
7. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Introduction: Allegro viv
8. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 1: (Precedente)
9. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Tema: L'istesso tempo
10. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 2: L'istesso te
11. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 3: L'istesso te
12. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 4: Più vivo
13. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 5: Tempo preced
14. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 6: L'istesso te
15. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 7: Meno mosso,
16. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 8: Tempo 1
17. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 9: L'istesso te
18. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 10: Poco marcat
19. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 11: Moderato
20. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 12: Tempo di mi
21. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 13: Allegro
22. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 14: L'istesso t
23. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 15: Più vivo sc
24. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 16: Allegretto
25. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 17: [Allegretto
26. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 18: Andante can
27. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 19: A tempo viv
28. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 20: Un poco più
29. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 21: Un poco più
30. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 22: Un poco più
31. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 23: L'istesso t
32. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43: Variation 24: A tempo un

Disc 3:

1. The Isle of the Dead, symphonic poem, Op. 29
2. Vocalise, transcription for orchestra, Op. 34/14
3. Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44: Lento; Allegro moderato
4. Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44: Adagio ma non troppo
5. Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44: Allegro

Disc 4:

1. Sonata for violin & piano No. 8 in G major, Op. 30/3: Allegro assai
2. Sonata for violin & piano No. 8 in G major, Op. 30/3: Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso
3. Sonata for violin & piano No. 8 in G major, Op. 30/3: Allegro vivace
4. Sonata for violin & piano in A major ('Duo'), D. 574 (Op. posth. 162): Allegro moderato
5. Sonata for violin & piano in A major ('Duo'), D. 574 (Op. posth. 162): Scherzo: Presto; Trio
6. Sonata for violin & piano in A major ('Duo'), D. 574 (Op. posth. 162): Andantino
7. Sonata for violin & piano in A major ('Duo'), D. 574 (Op. posth. 162): Allegro vivace
8. Sonata for violin & piano No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45: Allegro molto ed appassionato
9. Sonata for violin & piano No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45: Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza
10. Sonata for violin & piano No. 3 in C minor, Op. 45: Allegro animato

Disc 5:

1. Partita for keyboard No. 4 in D major, BWV 828 (BC L4): Sarabande
2. Suite for keyboard (Suite de piece), Vol.1, No.5 in E major ('The Harmonious Blacksmith'), HWV 430: Air And Variations ("Harmonious B
3. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major ('Alla Turca') K. 331 (K. 300i): Rondo Alla Turca ("Turkish March")
4. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Thema: Allegretto
5. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 1
6. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 2
7. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 3
8. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 4
9. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 5
10. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 6
11. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 7
12. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 8
13. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 9
14. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 10
15. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 11
16. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 12
17. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 13
18. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 14
19. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 19
20. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 22
21. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 23
22. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 24
23. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 25
24. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 26
25. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 27
26. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 28
27. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 31
28. Variations (32) on an original theme for piano in C minor, WoO 80: Variation 32
29. Die Heimkehr, transcription for piano (after Chopin Op. 74/6), S. 480/6 (LW A193/6): Heimkehr
30. The Maiden's Wish, transcription for piano (after Chopin, Op. 71/1, Chants polonais No. 1), S. 480/1 (LW A193/1)
31. Müllerleider (6), for piano, (after Schubert, D. 795), S. 565bis (LW A128): Das Wandern
32. Ständchen, Leise flehen meine Lieder, transcription for piano (after Schubert D. 957), S. 560/7 (LW A49/7)
33. Polonaises (2), for piano, S. 223 (LW A171): Polonaise No. 2 In E Major
34. Song without Words for piano No. 34 in C major ('Spinnerlied'), Op. 67/4
35. Impromptus (4) for piano, D. 899 (Op. 90): No 4 Impromptu In A-Flat
36. Gnomenreigen, for piano (Zwei Konzertetüden No. 2), S. 145/2 (LW A218/2)
37. Dance of the Blessed Spirits (Melody), arrangement (from 'Orfeo ed Euridice')
38. Etudes (3) for piano, Op. 104b: No 2 in F major
39. Etudes (3) for piano, Op. 104b: No 3 in A minor
40. Spanisches Liederspiel, 10 songs for voice(s) & piano, Op. 74: Der Kontrabandiste
41. Humoresques de concert (6), for piano, Op. 14: No 1, in G major, Menuet Célèbre
42. Liebesfreud (Love's Joy), for violin & piano

Disc 6:

1. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT. 202: Grave; Doppio movimento
2. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT. 202: Scherzo
3. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT. 202: Marche funèbre
4. Piano Sonata No. 2 in B flat minor, Op. 35, CT. 202: Presto
5. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Préambule
6. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pierrot
7. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Arlequin
8. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Valse noble
9. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Eusebius
10. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Florestan
11. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Coquette
12. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Réplique
13. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Sphinxes
14. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Papillons
15. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: A.S.C.H.-S.C.H.A (Lettres dansantes)
16. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Chiarina
17. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Chopin
18. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Estrella
19. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Reconnaissance
20. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pantalon et Colombine
21. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Valse allemande
22. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Paganini (Intermezzo)
23. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Aveu
24. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Promenade
25. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Pause
26. Carnaval for piano, Op. 9: Marche des "Davidsbündler" contre les Philistins
27. Nocturne for piano No. 2 in E flat major, Op. 9/2, CT. 109
28. Waltz for piano No. 7 in C sharp minor, Op. 64/2, CT. 213
29. Waltz for piano No. 8 in A flat major, Op. 64/3, CT. 214
30. Ballade for piano No. 3 in A flat major, Op. 47, CT. 4
31. Mazurka for piano No. 47 in A minor, Op. 68/2, CT. 97
32. Waltz for piano in E minor, KK IVa/15, CT. 222 (B. 56)

Disc 7:

1. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: Preludio
2. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: Gavotte
3. Partita for solo violin No. 3 in E major, BWV 1006: Gigue
4. A Midsummer Night's Dream, incidental music, Op. 61: Scherzo
5. Liebesfreud (Love's Joy), for violin & piano
6. Die schöne Müllerin, song cycle, for voice & piano, D. 795 (Op. 25): Wohin?
7. Polka W.R., for piano in A flat major, TN ii/18
8. Etudes-Tableaux, for piano, Op. 39: No. 6 In A Minor
9. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3: Prelude In C-Sharp Minor
10. Transcription of Mussorgsky's 'Hopak' from opera 'Sorochintsy Fair' for piano (also for piano & vioin), TN iii/8
11. Cradle song, song for voice & piano, Op. 16/1
12. Transcription of Rimsky-Korsakov's 'Flight of the Bumblebee' from 'The Tale of the Tsar Saltan' for piano, TN iii/9
13. Ruins of Athens, incidental music, Op. 113: Turkish March
14. Scherzo for piano in A flat major
15. The Seasons, for piano, Op. 37: November: Troika
16. Prelude for piano in F sharp minor, Op. 11/8
17. Man lebt nur einmal! (You Only Live Once!), waltz for orchestra, Op. 167
18. Russian Songs (3) for chorus & orchestra, Op. 41: Powder And Paint
19. Polka italienne, for piano, 4 hands in E flat minor/E flat major, TN ii/21

Disc 8:

1. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: Moderato; Allegro
2. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: Adagio sostenuto
3. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18: Allegro scherzando
4. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: Prelude No 10 In G-Flat Major
5. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: Prelude No 3 In E Major
6. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: Prelude No 7 In F Major
7. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: Prelude No 6 In F Minor
8. Etudes-Tableaux, for piano, Op. 33: No. 2 In C Major
9. Etudes-Tableaux, for piano, Op. 33: No. 7 In E-Flat Major
10. Daisies, song for voice & piano, Op. 38/3
11. Pieces (2) for cello & piano, Op. 2: Oriental Sketch
12. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3: No 3 Mélodie In E Major
13. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3: Serenade In B-Flat Major
14. Morceaux de salon, for piano, Op. 10: No 5 Humoresque In G Major
15. Lilacs, song for voice & piano, Op. 21/5
16. Moments Musicaux (6) for piano, Op. 16: No 2 Moment Musical In E-Flat Minor

Disc 9:

1. Mazurka for piano No. 41 in C sharp minor, Op. 63/3, CT. 91
2. Nocturne for piano No. 5 in F sharp major, Op. 15/2, CT. 112
3. Waltz for piano No. 1 in E flat major, Op. 18, CT. 207
4. Waltz for piano No. 4 in F major, Op. 34/3, CT. 210
5. Waltz for piano No. 6 in D flat major ('Minute'), Op. 64/1, CT. 212
6. Waltz for piano No. 10 in B minor, Op. 69/2, CT. 216
7. Waltz for piano No. 11 in G flat major, Op. 70/1, CT. 217
8. Scherzo for piano No. 3 in C sharp minor, Op. 39, CT. 199
9. Waltz for piano No. 6 in D flat major ('Minute'), Op. 64/1, CT. 212
10. Le Coucou, rondeau for harpsichord in E minor (Pièces de clavecin, Suite No. 3)
11. L' Arlésienne, suite for orchestra No. 1, from the incidental music: Minuet
12. The Swan (from 'Carnival of the Animals'), original (for 2 pianos & ensemble) and arrangements
13. Spinning Song for piano in C major: No. 4 in C major "Spinning Song"
14. Waltz, lyric piece for piano, Op. 12/2
15. Alvedans (Elves' Dance), lyric piece for piano, Op. 12/4
16. Concert Etude (Capriccio) for piano in F minor, Op. 28/6
17. Études caractéristiques (12), for piano, Op 2: No. 6, Si Oiseau J'étais, in F sharp minor
18. Études for piano, Op. 52: No 4, La Jongleuse
19. Children's Corner, suite for piano (or orchestra), L. 113: No 1, Doctor Gradus ad Parnassum
20. Children's Corner, suite for piano (or orchestra), L. 113: No 6, Golliwogg's Cake-Walk
21. The Seasons, for piano, Op. 37: Troika
22. Morceaux (2) for piano (or piano & violin), Op. 10: No 2 Humoresque In G Major
23. Waltz, for piano in A flat major, Op. 40/8

Disc 10:

1. Preludes (10) for piano, Op. 23: Prelude No 5 In G Minor
2. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: Prelude No 12 In G-Sharp Minor
3. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3: Prelude In C-Sharp Minor
4. Preludes (13) for piano, Op. 32: Prelude No 5 In G Major
5. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3: Serenade In B-Flat Major
6. Lilacs, song for voice & piano, Op. 21/5
7. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3: No 4 Polichinelle In F-Sharp Minor
8. Polka W.R., for piano in A flat major, TN ii/18
9. Liebesleid (Love's Sorrow), for violin & piano
10. Hungarian Rhapsody, for piano No. 2 (the 'original' No. 2) in C sharp minor (I & II), S. 244/2 (LW A132/2)
11. Sonata for keyboard in D minor, K. 9 (L. 413), 'Pastorale'
12. Piano Sonata No. 11 in A major ('Alla Turca') K. 331 (K. 300i): Theme and Variations
13. Waltz for piano No. 5 in A flat major, Op. 42, CT. 211
14. Waltz for piano No. 8 in A flat major, Op. 64/3, CT. 214
15. Polka W.R., for piano in A flat major, TN ii/18
16. Morceaux de salon, for piano, Op. 10: No 3, Barcarolle In G Minor
17. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3: Prelude In C-Sharp Minor

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #21979 in Music
• Brand: RCA
• Released on: 1992-09-15
• Number of discs: 10
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: 1.37 pounds

Amazon.com
We remember Rachmaninov today mostly for the music he wrote. But as this set quickly reveals, he was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, able to play his own music and a great variety of others with tremendous personality and a technique that is still astonishing. There's no point picking highlights from this set, since they are everywhere. But if you've never heard Rachmaninov play Schumann's Carnaval, try starting there for one of the most imaginative recreations of a piece of music ever recorded. The set also includes Rachmaninov's only recordings as a conductor in two of his own major works. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

A "Must Have" collection for the Rachmaninoff Lover
I still remember how excited I was when this collection first became available. Finally, I could hear a huge number of Rachmaninoff's pieces performed by the master himself, and discover his true intentions for the pieces.

Upon listening to the discs, I was both pleased and disappointed. On one hand, the performances are irreplaceable, because Rachmaninoff's own performances must be considered the fundamental reference point for interpretation of his compositions. Rachmaninoff tended to play fast and without exaggeration, almost "dry." His performances are quite different than what has come to be accepted as "standard." I like his style, but some may find it too brusque.

My disappointment comes from the sound quality of the discs. While RCA did its best with the ancient source material, the hiss and pop and general "low-fidelity" of these recordings can be distracting, and can occasionally make it difficult to hear everything that is going on. Peak orchestral volume can create distortion drowning out the piano, for example. For acoustical reasons, it would be difficult to play this music casually - if you played these discs for friends without explanation, they would wonder what's wrong with your stereo. So I listen to these discs primarily for analytical purposes - when I want to compare and contrast Rachmaninoff's performances with others'. Yes I have occasionally listened for simple pleasure, but my ears prefer newer recordings that sound more "real," even if the performance itself is not as good.

Save some $ money! Get the newer January 2006 reissue set instead.
At the time of this review, whenever you search for a phrase such as "Rachmaninoff Complete", amazon's search engine always lands on this out-of-print recording (ASIN: B000003FB7) . It's also no fun to see that it costs more than a hundred bucks! But if you type "B000A2AD2S" in the search box, you'll see the new reissued set for half the price. It's the exact same 10 CDs. Just the cover art is different.

Unfortunately, this situation is a common pattern with amazon's listing of classical music: when you use your intuition and type in common-sense search phrases for Bach, Mozart, etc, you often get the ultra-expensive out-of-print ships-in-4-weeks items as the default item. It takes a lot of detective work to find the newer reissue recordings. For example, to find the new reissue without knowing the ASIN, I had to enter just "Rachmaninoff" in the search text (deliberately left the word "Complete" out of the search) so it would no longer lock me into this item page that you're looking at and give me a full listing instead. I then sorted the listing by "Original Release Date" and found it on the 2nd page. There's no picture on the new item which doesn't give you any confidence that you found the right one. Don't worry, B000A2AD2S is what you want.

For product research, it's good to have both ASIN product listings because the older out-of-print B000003FB7 has the sound samples (and also all the helpful customer reviews) while the new B000A2AD2S has the better price and availability.

To make things even more confusing, the amazon staff sometimes copies entire customer reviews to the new item which would then make THIS review seem strangely out of place. If that happens and I notice it, I will delete this review for B000003FB7.

(In another strange twist, amazon searches in rock/pop usually points you to the newer cheaper remastered/repackaged/reissued/whatever of a particular recording. I don't know why it works the opposite way in classical music?!?!)

An invaluable Legacy by a pianistic legend of 20th Century
Quite simply a must for any serious collector of legendary performers from the past, this collection contains the entire recorded legacy of Sergei Rachmaninoff, considered by many to be one of the greatest if not "the" greatest pianist of our century. Containing outstanding recording notes as well as a full discography, this box set features not only brilliant individual interpretations of selected works of Rachmaninoff played imitiably by the composer but also outstanding performances of Chopin's B-flat minor sonata and Schumann's Carnaval. Although the recorded sound varies greatly from performance to performance, these interpretations will always remain an remarkable document of the Golden Age of Pianism which includes such illustrius names as Paderewski, Rosenthal, Hofmann, etc. At this budget price offered by RCA Gold Seal, it should be acquired by any serious lover of piano before it goes out of print.