The Complete Rachmaninoff

[pianomaestro88]

All the "Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff Recordings" are in a complete set now. They're really good a definite must for any pianists collection.

[pianomaestro88]

What are the best (or better) recordings of the Rachmaninoff Concerti?

[chsmike2345]

Still haven't gotten the complete Rachmaninoff, but definitely hope to soon.
For Rachmaninoff Concerto recordings, I like Cliburn's rendition of no. 2.
For rachmaninoff 3, I haven't heard alot of performances (although there are tons), I prefer horowitz, then cliburn. Horowitz uses the Cadenza rachmaninoff uses, while cliburn uses the other one, also by rachmaninoff, but not used by rachmaninoff (used by David Helfgott aka shine)

[thracozaag]

What are the best (or better) recordings of the Rachmaninoff Concerti?

 Rach 1-Janis, Rachmaninoff, Ashkenazy
 Rach 2-Kapell (both studio and live)
 Rach 3-Horowitz (the 1940 with Barbirolli), Kapell, Bolet (live from 72), Janis.

[eddie92099]

Rach 3-Horowitz (the 1940 with Barbirolli), Kapell, Bolet (live from 72), Janis.

Plus Cherkassky and Argerich,
Ed

[Rach3]

Argerich's is the best. Horowitz is more conservative (close to Rachmaninoff) but equally strong, I haven't heard the 1940 yet though, I should soon enough.

Just for fun, can we list who uses the original cadenza? Argerich does too.

[eddie92099]

Just for fun, can we list who uses the original cadenza?

Cherkassky does when he feels like it,
Ed

[e60m5]

Gilels for the third.

[thracozaag]

Plus Cherkassky and Argerich,
Ed

 I'm eagerly awaiting a live '57 performance by Cherkassky.  I apologise for the Gilels omission (I'm assuming you're referring to the performance with Cluytens).  

[thracozaag]

Argerich's is the best. Horowitz is more conservative (close to Rachmaninoff) but equally strong, I haven't heard the 1940 yet though, I should soon enough.

Just for fun, can we list who uses the original cadenza? Argerich does too.

THere's also (unfortunately imcomplete) a Horowitz performance from '46 with Rodzinski that's fabulous.

[eddie92099]

I'm eagerly awaiting a live '57 performance by Cherkassky.

With Rudolf Schwartz and the BBCSO? I have that live recording (on the BBC Legends series) coupled with a much later Prokofiev 2. The Rachmaninov is incredible,
Ed

[thracozaag]

With Rudolf Schwartz and the BBCSO? I have that live recording (on the BBC Legends series) coupled with a much later Prokofiev 2. The Rachmaninov is incredible,
Ed

 Yes! That's the one, I'm even more eager now

[thracozaag]

 I've also just recently received a live Cyprien Katsaris performance from the 80's that is staggering.

[eddie92099]

Let me know what you think of it when you get it (I'm going to listen to it again right now  ),
Ed

[ravel]

what about julius katchen , for his piano concerto no.2
also, have any of you heard pletnevs version of rach 3 ( with rostroprovich  ),  i liked that too, although, doesnt compare to argerich  ( i dont like the horowiz version that much in general, but i think he performs the second movement better than any other pianist  ), gilels is great on rach 3 .

[krenske]

i dont like the horowiz version that much in general, but i think he performs the second movement better than any other pianist

well...
i wonder which horowitz recording you refer to.

[ravel]

i think ormandy

[cziffra]

well, i quite liked michelangilis version of the FOURTH piano concerto

[thracozaag]

i think ormandy

 I think not (hopefully).

[dgk88]

i recieved the complete Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff collection for Christmas, and although they are very very very good recordings, I would have to say that any Cliburn recording of Rach. is stylistically better and just plain sounds better.

[scriabinsmyman]

best recording or rach concerti, in my opinion, is abbey simon....just breathtaking...and he's not doing it for show, either...just pure emotion- love it love it love it!

[zhiliang]

Rach 1st Piano Concerto : Krystian Zimerman, Jean Philip Collard and Byron Janis

Rach 2nd Piano Concerto : Arthur Rubinstein, William Kapell,

Rach 3rd Piano Concerto : Horowitz (Reiner), Arcadi Volodos

Hope these are some good additions to the above-mentioned

[Legato]

Anyone heard the Mikhail Pletnev Rach 3 recording?  I really like it, especially the 1st movement.  It's different.  He slows down the piano solo section, very pretty.

[ravel]

yup i know  the pletnev rach 3 is amazing , although i dont like it as much as argerich or volodos.
for some reason i am really getting to like the volodos rach3 with levine  a lottttttttttt.

[zhiliang]

yup i know  the pletnev rach 3 is amazing , although i dont like it as much as argerich or volodos.
for some reason i am really getting to like the volodos rach3 with levine  a lottttttttttt.

I do love the playing of Volodos a lot but somehow, i feel that he is not getting much support from Levine and the Berlin Philharmonic. There is not much of a give and take between the soloist and conductor, and it feels that something seems to be lacking somewhere. And the playing of the Berlin Philharmonic seems rather surface and very cold, and it does not complements the playing of Volodos. Does anybody feel the same way? But really really gorgeous Andante from Rachmaninoff's Cello Sonata.

[eViLben]

i don't like Argerich's version. here's my selection after many hours of listening :

1st C : Jean Yves Thibaudet (Vladimir Ashkenazy Cleveland Orchestra)
2nd C : Andrei Gavrilov (Ricardo Muti)
3rd C : Vladimir Horowitz (Reiner, 65 or 69 ? i dont remember)
4th C : Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli (Etore Gracis)
Paganini's variations : Andrei Gavrilov.

[eViLben]

oops sorry, 1951 for the horowitz version.

[comme_le_vent]

i dont have many rach concertos recordings, but my favourite concerto is no2, and my favourite individual mvt from any concerto is the 1st of the 1st.
cziffra is a beehatch in the 2nd, he rules.
another thing i often wonder about....whats so hard about rach 3?
another thing - whats the point in the light cadenza?
the heavy chordal one sounds so much better!