Track Listing

1. Piano Concerto in G major: I. Allegramente
2. Piano Concerto in G major: II. Adagio assai
3. Piano Concerto in G major: III. Presto
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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #138998 in Music
• Released on: 2000-03-14
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .24 pounds

Customer Reviews

Makes the hairs on one's neck...
Years ago I owned and then loaned the vinyl disc of these recordings, and I'm so glad the compact disc is available. These performances will compel you love these works. The Ravel is liquid crystal, and the slow movement achingly beautiful. The Rachmaninov 4th...this must be the greatest performance committed to posterity. I was no fan of this work until I listened and then re-listened to Michelangeli's performance. This is dark, defiantly melancholic music, and the soloist's articulation is astounding, the perfect amalgamation of fantasy, bravura and let's not leave out a dash of romance. I defy anyone who listens to the develpment section of the 1st movement not to get goosebumps on the back of their neck! This time I'm holding on to this prize.

Amazing playing
This CD is an all-time classic. Michelangeli had almost unlimited technique, and here he puts it to good use. The Rach 4 has probably never been equalled, while the Ravel is one of a few great recordings (Argerich is another).

Unfortunately, once you start noticing how terrible and out of time the triangle is (it's especially prominent in the Ravel) you just want to travel back through time and strangle the percussionist.

Michelangeli at His Best
One of my favorite albums has always been the Ravel Concertos with Argerich playing the G maj Concerto and Beroff play the Concerto in D. I still think this disc is unmatched when it comes to an album with both concertos. I've always loved the Argerich and always thought the performance couldn't be matched. This was until I heard Michelangeli's version on the radio. The first movement was coming to an end and I didn't know who the performer was. Then the 2nd movement came on and the rest was history. It's one of the most devastating experiences of my musical life so far. Until this, I had the ever-familiar misperception of Michelangeli just being a technician, and that he is cold. Nothing can be further from the truth. I've learned that you really need a completely blinded test to truly gauge a performance because the preconceptions and reputations can unjustly influence a listening experience. The Argerich seems like child's play compared to Michelangeli, beyond comparison. This is also extremely well-recorded for 1958, better than Argerich's. The Rach 4 is simply stunning. I had never heard this work before and now I can't stop listening to it. Again, this is unmatched, nothing and I mean nothing comes closer. Not Wild, Ashkenazy, no one! Michelangeli had very few studio concerto recordings and these 2 concertos must have been special to him. I own >1300 clasical discs and can't think of a better concerto recording. It ranks up there with such great recordings as Kleiber Beethoven 5th and 7th as one of the greatest albums ever!