It's one thing to say that Rachmaninov wasn't at his best when recording his third concerto. That I can agree on.
It's a completely different thing to say that it sucks and it's complete garbage.
It's just disrespectful.
It's not that he wasn't at his best, he like didn't know what he was doing. In his recording he completely ignores a bunch of the markings in the score, and cuts out like half the concerto cause he couldn't make up his mind. Not to mention there's a bunch of static in the background so the quality isn't all that great either. But when Horowitz came around, he was like, 'daaang that was soo good son!'
This is literally what his rach 3 is like
*listening to rach's rach 3*
Ugh static... Well I can deal with it...
*major gap*
What the heck happened?! Is there something wrong with the download? I'll call iTunes later...
*listening some more*
*another major gap*
What the heck you skipped my favorite part!!!

*cadenza*
Okay I like the Ossia better, but I can deal with it. He plays it fine anyways.
*several gaps later...*
*end of rach 3*
Well that sucked.

. Let me call iTunes
*I call iTunes*
Me: Yeah uuh, I bought the rach 3 from you guys and it's like not playing the whole piece. What's up with that?
iTunes guy: hmmm there's nothing wrong with the download. You got the whole thing buddy.
Me:

. Well, I'll go listen to Horowitz, Volosos, or Lugansky or something.
I gave you a reason why it sucks, you have yet to give me a reason otherwise. And don't tell me that I'm disrespectful unless you call out that Vladimir douchebag. At least I actually went through the trouble of explaining myself while that kid insults me without giving reason why I'm in the wrong. He's one of those Ad hominem fallacy punks eh?
I bet if anyone else played that you would say it sucked, but JUST BECAUSE it's Rachmaninoff, we have to deal with he "wasn't at his best".
Sorry, but I don't discriminate against legends and ordinary people. If I hear something and I think it's good, it's good. If it sucks, it sucks. I don't blindly say that a recording is good just because the name of the person on the CD is from the golden era. That's just ridiculous.
Now I await your response. Tell me why I am wrong, go on.
And the first concerto...
Dude I love the first concerto! But the original I have a problem with... And Rachmaninoff has my favorite rendition of it. Except I give the cadenza to Val...

Second concerto goes to Nelson Freire or some other person on YouTube. I have no idea who this persons name is.
Third goes to I don't know who. But definitely not Rachmaninoff.
Fourth goes to Rachmaninoff or Earl Wild.
Paganini variations go to Rachmaninoff.
I think.