Track Listing

Disc 1:

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. 3 in D minor, Op. 30: No. 1, Allegro ma non tanto
5. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30: No. 2, Intermezzo: Adagio - attaca subito
6. Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30: No. 3, Finale: Alla breve

Disc 2:

1. Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1: No. 1, Vivace - Moderato
2. Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1: No. 2, Andante
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1: No. 3, Allegro vivace
4. Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40: No. 1, Allegro vivace (Alla breve)
5. Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40: No. 2, Largo - attacca subito
6. Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40: No. 3, Allegro vivace
7. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (Introduction and 24 Variations), for piano & orchestra in A minor, Op. 43

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #71099 in Music
• Brand: Philips
• Released on: 1993-10-12
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Customer Reviews

Best set of the Rachmaninoff concerti you could buy!
Since the beginning of April (2004), I've gone on a little quest to find the best Rachmaninoff concerto recording available. I've listened to probably 20 different recordings in this time, but Orozco's stunning performance tops them all.

Now, this may be a matter of musical taste. Technically, the pianist is as close to perfect as one could wish for, but musically he provides a very unique interperetation. I don't think he plays as Rachmaninoff would - Orozco has a very soft touch, delicate and precise even in the greatest climaxes. What is most beautiful is the way he hits every note with a powerful assurance - where some pianists will equate "pianissimo" with "timid," Orozco brings a fine clarity to every passage which truly brings out the beautiful melodies Rachmaninoff has written.

As far as recording quality is concerned, I rather enjoy it. Many performances and recordings today are made to impress and awe with loud noises and tidal waves of furious sound. This recording is a very welcome break from that trend - the music here is both subtle and ultimately perfect.

My greatest criticism is that the orchestra is not particularly at ease with the music. It is somewhat mechnical and even apathetic to the music which Orozco so beautifully produces, at times. In the second movement, the flute is even slightly out of tune...

Irregardless, this is undoubdtedly my favorite CD set. Orozco's performance here is unforgettable.

In comparison with other recordings, I have not yet heard a better rendition of the first or third concertos (not including Rachmaninoff's own recordings, but those have much worse recording quality). For the second concerto, Orozco's only equals that I have heard are Arthur Rubinstein and William Kapell. Rubinstein's playing is very beautiful, with a more romantic interperetation. Kapell's playing is icy and stark, but the effect is still wonderful to behold (although I turn to Orozco or Rubinstein much more often when listening to the concerto). For the fourth concerto, Michelangeli's recording is probably better - the orchestra plays much more naturally with the piano, and Michelangeli himself gives a stunning reading of the piece.

Now that you've read this long review, you might as well buy the set. It's well worth your money!

Easily my favourite 3rd concerto recording!
I own 15 or so recordings of the 3rd concerto and i can seriously say that this one is my favourite. Technically the performance is remarkable and musically, many parts are breathtaking, especially the cadenza in the first movement. My Other favourite recording is the one by Janis/Munch(RCA) and a close third would be the recording by Thibaudet/Ashkenazy.

The Second concerto on this disc is also well played although it is mediocre compared to the likes of Earl Wild or Jean Yves-Thibaudet.
I enjoyed the first concerto very much although i do not often listen to other recordings of this work. I also enjoyed Earl Wild's interpretation but other than that, i am out of my element.
I never listen to the fourth concerto so i'm not even going to try to review it.
Lastly, the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini is played well and i have found it to be one of my favourites.

Overall this 2 disc set is a great bargain at the price of most single cds. Even if you don't like the first and fourth concertos, buy this cd for the Third concerto alone. It is worth the price. I listen to this recording every day and i never get tired of it!

Good piano playing, poor sound engineering
Listen to this CD on your car stereo or computer. Don't play it on you Bang & Olufson or you'll be sorely disappointed. The sound is not very crisp and the whole CD seems to lack clarity.

It's true you get what you pay for, and this CD is a perfect example. I'd not heard two of Rachmaninoff's piano conchertos before nor all of the rhapsody on a theme by Paganini. I'm very pleased with the music selection, so now I can find an expensive, high-quality recording confident that I like the music. I'll keep this CD in my office where I play it on my computer and put the good CD in the living room where I have a decent stereo.

In short, this CD is reasonable value for money, but it's a cheap CD.