Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No 2 for Piano and Winds

[49410enrique]

so just wanted to get other folks reactions to the work. too often pianists tend to this of this as a piano piece, by the way there's also some other instruments playing too...i actually tend to not care much for the 'two piano' versions more often performed i.e. for competitions and such.  i really liked having the different sonorities and colors that a wind only ensemble brought to the mix. especially so for a work that is so often performed. it was refreshing. it's nice to know there is a great alternative out there to the piano and orchestra version. i love piano plus wind band works.

[natalyaturetskii]

I have to confess that I don't really like the way the pianist is playing it, it doesn't really sound like a work of Rachmaninoff's. However, I think that it is interesting to have a wind band instead of the whole orchestra, and I think that it is done really well - but I have to say that I prefer the original. In my opinion, it should be played the way Rachmaninoff wrote it, who can say that they understand his piece better than himself?

Natalya

[chadbrochill17]

this is blasphemy.

[49410enrique]

this is blasphemy.

fair enough. i really liked it though. a lot. but again i generally enjoy wind ensemble sonorities. i admit it could have been played better but the color changes were nice. still thanks for weighing (and anyone else for listening too )

[natalyaturetskii]

this is blasphemy.

I think that you are probably right...
Natalya

[49410enrique]

I think that you are probably right...
Natalya

meh some people won't like it. that's cool but i wouldn't call it blasphemy, it's not like it's a "Holy" or "Sacred" religious work.

besides in my heart I can't complete dislike a piece of music that at the end of the day aims to help people that would otherwise not hear it or perform it be able to enjoy a wonderful work. i.e. a band audience member that might not otherwise hear it can experience it. a conductor of a wind ensemble can work with his or her musicians on a piece of music they normally would not have access too, like wise musicians in a band can experience and play it where hty might not ever get to. or a pianist that would never have a hance to play w a live orchestra can still express themselves with w alive ensemble and audinece in a concert stage work. and i've also heard people bash this (elsewhere) but not the two piano version which makes no sense. since a wind band arrangment is much closer to the original than the two piano rehearsal version.

but at the end of the day, different folks different strokes. i don't get my underoos all in a knot just cause someone doesn't share my msuical sensibility with a particular piece of music.

[natalyaturetskii]

meh some people won't like it.

Don't get me wrong, I like it, but I prefer the original, being in love with all of Rachmaninoff's works.

[49410enrique]

Don't get me wrong, I like it, but I prefer the original, being in love with all of Rachmaninoff's works.

too. i hope folks don't think i don't like the original, just that i thought it a refreshing and different sound. that was all. made for cool discussion though.

good luck with your working of it up for contest

[chadbrochill17]

All I'm saying is don't let Rach see this thread. He might pop a blood vessel.