Rachmaninoff haters

[Motrax]

How many times must I link to this...? *yawn* 

https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000004167/qid=1082408439/sr=1-13/ref=sr_1_13/103-5347196-9262249?v=glance&s=classical

The orchestra is less than decent, but the pianist... my oh my. My personal favorite of each concerto, from the piano's standpoint. Orozco is just perfect, here. Read my review (the first one), I do my best to explain myself there.

(By the way, I don't seriously judge music on how hummable it is... I was just kidding 'round!)

And while we're on the subject of his concertos, Rach's 4th, to me, is undoubtedly the greatest work among the four. The way Rachmaninoff uses themes is simply indescriabable. This concerto represents a perfect union between piano and orchestra, so intertwined are the melodies and developements. Furthermore, he creates many themes and variations in the first two movements which feel unfinished, and they are perfectly concluded in the third movement.

You could almost call it counterpoint spread over time - first one voice begins, then a completely different one takes over, and so on and so forth over time, and the last movement seperately brings each melody to a conclusion... hell, it's a difficult piece to describe. Just listen to it more than once - I didn't think much of it myself until 10 or 15 listens; one night it just suddenly burst into meaning.

[Troldhaugen]

Is there any possibility that some people are not just fond of Rach 3 because it's extremely challenging and it'll give them a perfectly good excuse not to have to play it? I'm just wondering....I'm not a big adherent of one particular composer, but in my opinon, he is much more than decent as a composer. In fact, some of favourite piano works were done by Rachmaninoff. If you actually play Rach 3 or any other pieces by him, you'll have a much better appreciation of it. Yes, I agree on Horowitz's recording. It's one of the finest Rach 3 recordings. I really think it would be very hard for anyone to come up with a reason not to love Rachmaninoff.

[Spatula]

There are some good and bad points personally about the R4.
First off I totally hate the trumpets echoing the melody of the piano right off the bat.  It's just so....no! 

And the music doesn't quite seem to be going anywhere, but don't get me wrong, I still enjoy listening to it as about the same level as R1 and Paganini (which is still pretty high compared to other concertos)

I find the rondo of R4 is probably the most "action packed" especially with the alternating chords and passages that just zoom right out.  I find I prefer rondos where it starts out more quietly like the R2 and Grieg, and then builds up the exictment, just like how R4 perfectly excutes it.  The little but intricate "ornaments" and dazzling light fingers really pump up what is to be expected next.

[krittyot]

I love Rachmaninoff as well, but I can't stand Brendels playing.  He is so boring.....

Brendel has one thing that most great pianists do not have. He knows how to play like a robot, and make everything sound mechanical.

[Ludwig Van Rachabji]

A funny thing about Brendel is, one time I bought a CD of him playing a few Beethoven sonatas, and for some of the easier ones, (opus 14, opus 79) he was playing so fast, that the whole thing didn't sound clean.

I like some of his playing, but it is kind of funny how this is.

[BoliverAllmon]

Is there any possibility that some people are not just fond of Rach 3 because it's extremely challenging and it'll give them a perfectly good excuse not to have to play it? I'm just wondering....I'm not a big adherent of one particular composer, but in my opinon, he is much more than decent as a composer. In fact, some of favourite piano works were done by Rachmaninoff. If you actually play Rach 3 or any other pieces by him, you'll have a much better appreciation of it. Yes, I agree on Horowitz's recording. It's one of the finest Rach 3 recordings. I really think it would be very hard for anyone to come up with a reason not to love Rachmaninoff.

I know for myself this isn't the case. I just prefer his first concerto and not his 3rd. I think Rach is still a great composer, just not fond of his 3rd.

[Troldhaugen]

Not fond of Rach 3? What is wrong with you?? I'm just kidding.. Rach 3 used to be one of my favourites since I was 6 (partly because my mom loved to listen to it), and all of sudden it's got all famous.....and some people regard it as a super-virtuoso piece or whatever nowadays. I like his first concerto, too...but I think I have more emotional connection with his 3rd. Yeah....there's no doubt that he is a great composer. 

[BoliverAllmon]

I like the first minute or so of his 3rd. after that it is nice, but not a fav. Maybe would be different if I saw it live or something. I do know this though. I really don't like his 2nd at all and I have seen it live and heard many versions of it.

[Rob47]

I'm sorry for repeating myself.  Please.  Whoever is reading this...throw on Horowitzs' Rach 3 right now and honestly listen to it.  No recorded performance of ANYTHING comes close to this.  REALLY. IT IS THE BEST PERFORMANCE OF ANYTHING, EVER.  I know comments like "THIS IS THE BEST" instigate argumentative behaviour in alot of you but, seriously, Horowitz playing Rach 3 is what piano is all about. period.

your friend who loves you very much,
Rob

 

Does the eyeball rolling represent the phrase "Who the hell is this guy?"

Hey I like Cziffra's Rach 2 the best, Janis' Rach 1, and Michaelangeli's Rach 4.

Just, you know, Horowitz Rach 3 is the best recording of anything ever like I said. What?

your friend
Rob

[BoliverAllmon]

are you talking to me? I admit to not had the pleasure of listening to Horowitz play the Rach 3rd. I hear that his 30' recording is something really special. That recording is only sold in europe though. Not here in the usa. I do have his 1979 recording or somewhere around there. i just haven't gotten around to listening to it.

boliver

[stefano]

Whoever is saying Rachmaninov is a bad composer has mediocre technique and mind.  They cannot play his works and are jealous of the ones who can. He is one of the greatest composers ever.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinions,but to say he is a waste is ignorant and sad.  And by the way, Evgeny Kissin is the world's greatest pianist.  It has become chic to put him down, this is done by those who are jealous of his masterful command of the instrument.

sincerely
-Stefano

[cziffra777]

And by the way, Evgeny Kissin is the world's greatest pianist.  It has become chic to put him down, this is done by those who are jealous of his masterful command of the instrument.

No, this is done by people, like me, who think Kissin is a horrible player. He may have technique, but that's about it.

[BoliverAllmon]

I personally am not a rach hater. I just don't prefer his 3rd concerto. Love other stuff though.

oh and kissin is the main reason why I got so engulfed into piano. I heard him play the preludes for a paper in music appreciation and was hooked.

boliver

[stefano]

well you are entitled to your opinion, cziffra but he is extremely musical also. its easy to judge him, but lets see you play anywhere near those heights.

[hodi]

i think people just jelous of his piano concertos.
i agree that rachmaninov is underrated.

[BoliverAllmon]

I agree he is underrated. There is more to him than his 3rd PC. His midnigt virgil is some of the most beautiful vocal work I have ever seen.

boliver

[cziffra777]

well you are entitled to your opinion, cziffra but he is extremely musical also.

He isn't musical in any of the recordings I've heard.

its easy to judge him, but lets see you play anywhere near those heights.

No thanks. I prefer to be able to play well.

[Motrax]

I agree that Kissin doesn't play particularly musically. Not to say he isn't quite a prodigy, with technique a whole lot greater than I'll hope to achieve... yet, who cares? A player piano has twice the technique Kissin will ever have, and in many cases is on the same level of musicality. His recording of Chopin's 1st Ballade is unforgivable, for example. His rubatos and whole structure make very little sense. He isn't always bad, though... I love how he plays The Lark. But for the most part, I don't think he presents much besides his technique. Maybe in the future he'll settle down and give music some serious consideration...