Martha Argerich's Rach 3

[MikeThePianist]

Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto has been recorded to death.  When I went to Border's the other day to find which one I wanted to buy, I simply could not decide.  I have Martha Argerich's recording already on her first Great Pianists of the 20th Century CD, which some say is the best they've heard.  I'm somewhat skeptical about this claim.  She goes unbelievably fast, and for me it creates more of a distraction than an excitement, not to mention it's sloppy as hell.  What does everyone think about her performance of it?  Also, does anyone else know of a good performance of it.  I have heard amazing things about Arcadi Volodos, but I have never heard him.  Any opinions?

Mike

[MzrtMusic]

Well, I must say that the best recording of the Rach 3 I've ever heard is by Rachmaninoff himself. He recorded all four of the concertos. It takes a little while to grow on you, and I must admit, I didn't really appreciate it until I listened to it with the score in front of me! About Argerich, I've not listened to the great pianists version, but I do have her CD with that Rach. and the Tchaikovsky 1 on it, and I must say that I love it. The only thing that I don't like is there is one chord that she hist, and it should be pp, but it sounds almost like sFz. Just a little abrasive right there, but on the whole, it's a good recording to invest in!

Hope that helps!

Love,

Sarah

[Colette]

Well, Rachmaninoff himself was so impressed with Horowitz's performance of his concerto that he never played it in public again. Horowitz's recording of the Rach 3 is very unique and very Russian. You'll either love it or hate it, I but happen to think it's great. Exciting from start to finish. Rachmaninoff's own recording is very fast but so elegant. It's a little hard to hear him bringing up all the inner vioces that he's so famous for because the recording is archaic, but Rachmaninoff is one of the most ideal pianists I've ever heard, and it's hard not to be curious how he played his own compositions. (However he makes some horrible cuts in the concerto that will sound a little strange). My very favorite recording of it is by Ashkenazy with Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra from the early 70's. I don't think his later recordings of it carry the same emotional/impressive impact. Every time I listen to his interpretation I find something newly beautiful. Pletnev also plays it very well, but sounds simliar to Ashkenazy, just not as good. Here's what not to listen to, and this is only my opinion so don't get mad. I really dislike Entremont's performance. It's technique and nothing else...so cold. Richter is always good, but I think his Rach 2 demonstrates more involved playing.
Happy listening!

[MikeThePianist]

I just remembered that I have a video recording of Horowitz playing Rach three.  I think it has the New York Phil and Zubin Mehta.  I can't believe I forgot that I have it.  I think I'll go listen to it today.

I would like to here Pletnev performing it.  I have really fallen in love with his recordings lately.  I have his CDs of the Rach Corelli Variations (CD is entitled Hommage a  Rachmaninov).  I also have a recording of him playing Scriabin that is superb.  I'll have to see about his Rach concerti.

As for Ashkenazy, I'm not so sure.  He's recorded a ton of the complete concerti of several different composers.  I have his recording of the Prokofiev concerti, and I must say I was disappointed.  It's not really his interpretation that boths me, it's the tone he producing.  I've always thought the way he plays sounds so metallic, almost as if the strings on the piano are being plucked.  I have never found anything appealing about his playing, probably because I'm always so distracted to the aversion I have for his sound.  Anyway, maybe someday I'll get the guts to hear it.  Perhaps his Rach is better than his Prok.  

Thank you for the recommendations.  

Mike

[martin_s]

In my (not so humble) opinion, Rachmaninov's own recording is THE best, Argerich's is great too, and in fact I do like bits of the early Askenazy one too. Haven't listened to this piece on CD for a long time now, since I am learning it myself, and I usually don't listen to recordings of pieces that I am studying... Sorta try to form my own ideas instead of, subconciously, slipping into someone else's way playing...

[Pianorak]

Quoting "Colette": Horowitz's recording of the Rach 3 is very unique and very Russian.  . . . My very favorite recording of it is by Ashkenazy with Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra from the early 70's. I don't think his later recordings of it carry the same emotional/impressive impact. . .

Which of the four Horowitz recordings do you have in mind? With Coates, Koussevitzky, Reiner or Ormandy conducting?
As to Ashkenazy/Previn you might also consider the Rach 2 and 3 which Ashkenazy recorded with Fistoulari in 1964 and 1963 respectively which I for one much prefer. In fact the Julius Katchen recording of Rach 2 with Fistoulari is another stunner! And whilst on the subject of Ashkenazy recordings: I have yet to come across a  recording of the Chopin Etudes Opp. 10 and 25 which I prefer to those recorded by him in the early sixties (1962?). His Chopin Mazurkas aren't half bad either! I was particularly pleased to see him quoted as expressing fulsome praise for the recordings of the Mazurkas made by Fou Ts'ong, my all-time favourites.  

[dinosaurtales]

Well, this will be a tad off-topic, but Mike hit on one of my pet peeves. Rant on:   A lot of recording artists play things too fast.  Why?  Because they can, I guess.  I suppose it's one of their ways of showing off, or they've played things so many times that pieces sound better to them faster, but to ME------  most pieces have a tempo or a range of tempos that they just settle into nicely and a bunch of recordings make me want to go "where's the fire?"    bugs me, that's all.  Rant off.

[anne]

I've heard many people saying great things about Horowitz recording of the 3rd. About Rachmaninoff's saying, he was apparently being sarcastic about Horrowitz's playing.I 've heard one of his recordings as well, not supposed to be the best one (the earliest is supposed to be the best) and even though it's obvious that he is a great pianist, i really don't think it is one of his master piece, i don't find that he really captures the mood of the piece terribly well.
Concerning Argerich's recording (Kondrashin conducting) and its many unperfections, i think it is really one of the best. She really recreates the mood of the piece almost perfectly and her devotion when  playing is so overwhelming  (whether sometimes needed or uneeded), it is beyond piano playing. I don't know any recordings that are humanily close to this performance.
I have heard that Gilels's recording is brilliant as well unfortunately, i have never came acrossed it. Does anybody have heard it?

[Colette]

To address Pianorak, I was referring to the Horowitz/Reiner performance. I'll have to listen to Fistoulari/Ashkenazy...yet another recording of the many he's made. I was surprised by how each later recording is so very different.....it's always good to experiment, or else we wouldn't have all those Rachmaninoff Preludes and imaculate Chopin etudes on cd, although I'm partial to his 1975, 80 Decca etudes.
To anne: I'm not sure if Rachmaninoff was being sarcastic, but if so he took it pretty seriously since he  gave Horowitz the performing rights to his 3rd and never played it publically once he did....according to Schonberg anyway. I partially agree with your statement about Rachmaninoff's recording of his 3rd. I read that he always felt unsure of the significance/tightness of his concerto, and when recording or performing, made drastic cuts in the score because of it....in his earliest recording, it seems as though this feeling might have  translated to his playing, cause he sounds a bit timid and not thoroughly connected. However, there are also some great moments only he can bring up in the concerto and it's worth while to listen closely and find those elements, rather than dismiss the recording as a whole. The fast speed he takes gives it fluidity, and listen especially to the cadenza and coda. Actually, I think he performs his and 1st and 4th (a must hear) closer to his heart. Well, strike me dead but I haven't heard Argerich's recording. I didn't want to rush out and buy it because (like most) I've either been very turned off by her or, (less so) very interested, but I guess I'll have to pick up her Rach 3.

[mahavishnu]

Have you heard the Andre Watts recording of the Rach 3?  It is my favorite (I have to admit I have only heard about 5 or 6 different recordings -including the  one horowitz/ormandy)  . I believe it is on the Sony Classical label.

[rachfan]

I like the Argerich performance of Rachmaninoff's 3rd.  The fast tempo does take some getting used to, although it adds much excitement.  It's true that she makes some errors, but you have to cut her some slack there.  After all, it was a live concert, not a studio recording session with retakes.  My benchmark recording will always be Van Cliburn's recording (also recorded live) with Kondrashin.  It has withstood the test of time very nicely.    

[dinosaurtales]

And who else would know better than Rachfan?

[Chris_Rossoni]

I have read that Horowitz and Rach were good friends.   I don't thinkhe was being sarcastic about what he said about Horowitz playing the concerto

[ayahav]

I really want to listen to rachmaninow playing his own compositions. I'd be much obliged to the person who can tell me which label produces the cd's.
I have a recording of the Rach 2 and 3 on cd by Decca Records (I don't have it at hand's reach, but I think it's the london symphony), and I think it's fantabulous.

[Colette]

I have rachmaninoff playing all of his concertos on the NAXOS historical label. if u can, find him playing his first and fourth concertos and rhapsody on a theme of paganinni  with the philidelphia orchestra and eugene ormandy and leopold stokowski under this label (those pieces are all on one cd). they are truely amazing recordings. you can also find rach playing some of his own preludes, etudes, and transcriptions along with other composers like chopin and schumann under the great pianists of the 20th century collection by Phipips Classics. (it's a 2 cd set). it's a must have, if only for rach's famed interpretation of the chopin sonata....

[rachfan]

I have Rachmaninoff playing the Concertos Nos. 2 and 3 with Stokowski and Ormandy respectively on RCA Red Seal 5997-2-RC.  He does Concertos Nos. 1 and 4 with Ormandy and the Rhapsody of a Theme of Paganini with Stokowski on RCA Victor 6659-2-RC.

Do listen to No. 4 carefully.  This piece has long been maligned as being a patchwork of fragmented themes, and as being inferior to the others.  Nonsense!  You'll be amazed how Rachmaninoff effects a unifying "sweep" to this gorgeous music and takes you right along with him.  It's better than attending a master class.

[ayahav]

I have just found a cd in my collection of Entremonet playing the 1st, 4th, and Paganini with Ormandy and the Philadelphia Symphony. Fabulous...... but not quite as fabulous as the real rach playing would have been.