Nikolai Lugansky - Rachmaninov Variations

[arpeggiosnake]

Hi. Yesterday I got this CD but i havent opened it yet.

I wanna know your thougts before i play it on my stereo.

The tracks are:

1 - Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini
2 - Variations on a theme by Corelli
3 - Variations on a theme bt Chopin

Do you like his playing?

BTW Rachmaninov´s music is not my cup of tea, in not familiar with his works.

Thanks

[Barbosa-piano]

Yes, his playing is very clear in all, and I would say my favorite recorded by Lugansky is the set of Variations on a theme by Corelli. He does a good job, but on Variations on a theme of Chopin, he makes it somewhat long and repetitive, he does not give that air of unexpectation that others give (Sonia Rubinsky does a great job here). This type of performance can ruin the listener's first thoughts on the music, especially on Rachmaninoff's case. I will check the Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini, I didn't know there was a recording of this by him. He is a good pianist, very precise and clear (usually). But for the Rhapsody on a theme by Paganini, I would listen to Rachmaninoff himself playing it, his recording is somewhat intimidating and authoritary, very strong. Ashkenazy gets close, but Edil Biret doesn't have that power. These Variations and the Rhapsody are great- and as I said before, if you are determined to listen to them, listen to recordings that are known to be good, otherwise, it can spoil your image of it. This is a good CD.

[Motrax]

I don't particularly like Lugansky's Rachmaninoff - I find it to be bland for the most part (based on listening to his Moments Musicaux, Preludes Op. 23, and 3rd Concerto). I can't suggest any great recordings for the two solo variations pieces, but there's a whole slew of Paganini Variations performances which top Lugansky's.

If you're just starting with Rachmaninoff, I would highly recommend buying this CD. In my humble opinion, it's the best complete collection of the concertos available. I prefer Michelangeli for the 4th concerto, but otherwise these are my favorites (excluding Rachmaninoff's own recordings).

The Variations on themes of Corelli and Chopin are the best pieces with which to get an introduction to Rachmaninoff. The concertos (No 2 and 3 especially) are more characteristic of his style. You may also want to get a recording of his Op. 32 Preludes, which are among his best works. His Cello Sonata (Op. 19) is an incredible piece as well. I'm afraid I can't recommend any specific performers for these pieces as I haven't found any that I'd consider "definitive," but Emmanuel Ax/Yo Yo Ma or Steven Isserlis / Stephen Hough are both good for the cello sonata. For the preludes, Sviatislav Richter is great, though I don't think he recorded the entire set (someone correct me if I'm wrong about this). I have Vladimir Ashkenazy's Op 32 preludes - they're ok, but there're probably much better recordings out there which I haven't come across.

I'm afraid I'm not a big fan of Rachmaninoff's Symphonies, so I wouldn't be able to recommend any of the three specifically. However, his symphonic poem "The Rock" ia a beautiful piece. His choral "symphony," "The Bells" (Op. 35) is magnificent, if you're interested in choral works.

If you have any further questions about Rachmaninoff, feel free to ask (here, or via PM if you want). I feel qualified enough to talk about his works and their recordings without making too much of a fool out of myself.