Rachmaninov: Morceaux Op.3/Preludes Op.23

On this CD:

1. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

2. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

3. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

4. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

5. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

6. Prelude for piano No.2 in F sharp minor, Op. 23/1
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

7. Prelude for piano No.3 in B flat major, Op. 23/2
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

8. Prelude for piano No.4 in D minor, Op. 23/3
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

9. Prelude for piano No.5 in D major, Op. 23/4
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

10. Prelude for piano No.6 in G minor, Op. 23/5
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

11. Prelude for piano No.7 in E flat major, Op. 23/6
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

12. Prelude for piano No.8 in C minor, Op. 23/7
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

13. Prelude for piano No.9 in A flat major, Op. 23/8
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

14. Prelude for piano No.10 in E flat minor, Op. 23/9
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

15. Prelude for piano No.11 in G flat major, Op. 23/10
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

16. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

17. Morceaux de fantaisie (5), for piano, Op. 3
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Alexander Vaulin

Tracks:

Prelude In C Sharp Minor , Op.3, No.2
Melodie, Op.3, No.3
Polichinelle In F Sharp Minor, Op.3, No.4
Polka De V.R.
Barcarolle In G Minor, Op.10, No.3
Prelude In G Minor, Op.23, No.5
Non Allegro
Andante Con Moto (Tempo Di Valse)
Lento Assai (Allegro Vivace)

Customer Reviews:

R plays R.......2006-02-25

ok for the money but didn't have his good stuff on it.

Ill informed much?.......2005-10-12

I wouldn't usually submit a review with the express purpose of criticising someone else's view, because quite frankly, we all are allowed to form our own views and opinions..

But I feel the need to defend this recording from the very merciless and insulting review submitted earlier regarding the 'amateur pianist' on this cd having just learnt the correct notes to press but unfortunately not in the correct time..

Anyone who knows anything about Rachmaninoff should already know this..Rachmaninoff was VERY well known for having a flaire for improvising in his own pieces, and being that he is the very own composer of these pieces he is very well justified in doing so.

Case in point..Melodie in E. Sure..the triplet rhythm seems to have been completely destroyed, by the standards set by the score anyway. But sit back and listen closely and you'll notice that while Rachmaninoff has transcended the score and is turning the piece into what it should be, a fantasie, a piece of impromptu nature that should be allowed to fly with one's fancy and one's imaginations. The Barcarolle and the Prelude? Same thing. This is no "amateur pianist" pounding away without rhythm. Or if indeed this is an amateur pianist than nobody on the face of earth with the exception of Liszt himself should be allowed to qualify themselves as a pianist.

If one would care, one can examine the Memorex recordings made by Rachmaninoff issued by Decca, where the sound quality is lovingly brought back to life. But one observes, that he plays the Fantasie pieces in the very same manner, in a totally care-free and improvisational nature.

Obviously these pieces meant a lot to Rachmaninoff himself as he took the effort to record them on memorex. And obviously this manner of interpreting them is something that flows within his very nature for him to have done this MORE than ONCE.

Do not buy this record if you're looking for a stoic reading of Rachmaninoff. IN fact, do not buy ANY record of rachmaninoff playing ANYTHING if you want a stoic reading of them. Buy this record for the very sole purpose that justifies such a purchase. Buy this to listen to Rachmaninoff, the master himself.

And I highly recommend the memorex record by Decca too, if these pieces (the fantasies) have grabbed your attention. They contain the same interpretation, but with the quality and dynamics lifted to, while not what rachmaninoff would have expected or wanted, certainly surpasses any insight we have to his playing.

Great playing - poor quality.......2003-10-14

When one becomes used to crystal clear recordings in which one can detect individual notes, this recording is something of a disappointment. True, it is (allegedly) the great one himself but the outside noises are a real distraction.

I would have loved to have heard the Rock in person (as my father did) and this is supposed to be the next best thing. The bravura, the awesome technique, the lush romanticism are all present or hinted at but sound transferrance techniques can go only so far.

Ripples of Greatness.......2001-09-25

Wouldn't you love to hear Bach play his Toccatta and Fugue in Dm? Well, we can't. But we can hear the late, great Sergey Rachmaninov struttin' his stuff, playing his famous Prelude in C#m, Op. 3 No. 2. Yeah, it's taken from an old tape, but it's clear enough to be amazing. I, for one, was a little suprised to hear dynamics in his interpretation that one doesn't often hear in the performance of that piece. An historic recording certainly worth having in your audio library.

Bad recording, but still a good buy.......2000-11-23

Some of us don't have money enough for the complete works of Rachmaninoff... Granted, if you've heard the other recordings of these songs, you'll be rather confused. But Rachmaninoff is Rachmaninoff. If you're a casual listener, buy this cd. If you've never heard Rachmaninoff before, buy this cd. It's hard to go wrong for 4 dollars. If you're broke, and need a Rach fix, this is the cd for you.

Average customer rating:

Playing so beautiful it could win new converts
Solid Rachmaninov from Alexeev
Good find and value.

Rachmaninov: Preludes
Sergei Rachmaninov , and Dmitri Alexeyev
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes Tableaux
Rachmaninov: Préludes
Liszt: The 19 Hungarian Rhapsodies
Chopin: Four Scherzi
Rachmaninov: 24 Preludes/Piano Sonata No.2

ASIN: B00002DGOT
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 1 In (F)Sharp Minor
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 2 In (B)Flat Major
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 3 In (D) Minor
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 4 In (D)Major
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 In (G) Minor
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 6 In (E) Flat Major
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 7 In (C) Minor
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 8 In (A) Flat Major
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 9 In (E) Flat Minor
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 10 In (G)Flat Major
Prelude in D minor (1917): Prelude In (D) Minor (1917)
Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: I. Elegie, In (E) Flat Minor
Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: II. Prelude, In (C) Sharp Minor
Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: III. Melodie, In (E) Major
Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: IV. Polichinelle, In (F) Sharp Minor
Morceaux De Fantaisie, Op. 3: V. Serenade, In (B) Flat Minor
Licacs, Op. 21 No. 5
Daisies, Op. 38 No. 3
Melodie (1887)
Oriental Sketch (1917)

Tracks:

13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 1 In (C) Major
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 2 In (B) Flat Minor
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 3 In (E) Major
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 4 In (E)Minor
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 5 In (G) Major
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 6 In (F) Minor
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 7 In (F) Major
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 8 In (A)Minor
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 9 In (A) Major
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 10 In (B) Minor
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 11 In (B) Major
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 12 In (G) Sharp Minor
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 13 In (D) Flat Major
6 Moments Musicaux, Op. 16: No. 1 In (B) Flat Minor
6 Moments Musicaux, Op. 16: No. 2 In (E) Flat Minor
6 Moments Musicaux, Op. 16: No. 3 In (B)Minor
6 Moments Musicaux, Op. 16: No. 4 In (E)Minor
6 Moments Musicaux, Op. 16: No. 5 In (D) Flat Major
6 Moments Musicaux, Op. 16: No. 6 In (C) Major

Customer Reviews:

Playing so beautiful it could win new converts.......2006-06-27

Rachmaninov is languishing. As the greatest pianist of his time, arguably of all time, the composer was his own best advocate. He toured the world playing whatever new pieces he had composed for his prodgious gifts. His successor was the fiery Horowitz, and after that, much of hte solo pieces died on the vine. We leave them to Russians, marveling at what Richter can do with preludes and tableaux that sound mushy or woozily chromatic unless there's a genius at the keyboard. Not many pianists today look far beyond the Second and Third piano concertos and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Dmitri Alexeyev's playing is so beautiful and poetic that it could win some new converts, however. He has the touch of a born Chopinist (so did Rachmaninov) as wel as a gift for song. Unlike many Russian virtuosos he doesn't bang, always a temptation when the notes come in fistfuls. And as recorded by Virgin, the piano Alexeyev plays is mellow and rich-sounding. Anyone new to Rachmaninov should begin with the Op. 23 Preludes that begin this 2-CD set. They are among the most popular of the solo works.

Listening to too much at a stretch poses dangers: Rachmaninov is often melancholy, languorous, dreamy, shapeless. But there's no doubt that he's a master. I was glad, after avoiding this music for a while, to be reminded of that fact by Alexeyev's winning renditions, among the easiest to listen to that I have ever encountered.

Solid Rachmaninov from Alexeev.......2001-05-12

I bought this cd as an alternative to the recordings i have of this music played by Ashkenazy, Shelley, and Weissenberg. Even though i knew of Alexeev's prowess, my expectations were not so high - but i have been quite positively surprised. Beyond the technique which in his case proves to be more than up to this consistently difficult music, Alexeev is able make the complete preludes for once as part of a whole (was this intended?) and make each of them indispensable for the conitinuity of the cycle. Also, the playing is virtuosic as Weissenberg, but adds the cool understanding of the Shelley cycle. The smaller works do not draw too much attention - precise and reverent playing. But the best comes last in the Moments musicaux op 16 - again, the feeling of each pice as indispensable to the cycle, and the lyrical and virtuosic characteristic of the pieces blended brilliantly. Great playing of music that deserves better reputation and a wider audience - well served by Virgin's budget price

Good find and value........2001-03-01

This two CD set contains all the Rachmaninoff preludes which I discovered was not that easy to find in one collection. I like this album though I admit I had some initial reservations about it since I hadn't heard of this pianist and the fact that the composer's name is "different" on the cover (I believe Rachmaninoff himself preferred the double f ending to his name). The recording quality is very good; this is a DDD recording and a fairly recent one at that. The piano sound is very clear, the playing is lucid and crisp though perhaps pretty straightforward. It takes a pianist of some ability to play these pieces well and this CD shouldn't disappoint. In summary, this is a good recording, as good of an introduction to Rachmaninoff's piano music as any and all on two CDs.

Average customer rating:

Idil amazing
Essential Rachmaninoff at a good price.

Rachmaninov: Piano Music (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Canons | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Improvisation | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Chopin: Complete Piano Music
Sergei Prokofiev - 50th Anniversary Edition
Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Works for Solo Piano
Rachmaninov: The Symphonies

ASIN: B00004W54X
Release Date: 2000-08-15

Tracks:

Vivace
Andante
Allegro Vivace - Andante Ma Non Troppo - Tempo Primo
Allegro Vivace
Largo
Allegro Vivace
Introduction
Variation 1
Theme
Variation 2
Variation 3
Variation 4
Variation 5
Variation 6
Variation 7
Variation 8
Variation 9
Variation 10
Variation 11
Variation 12
Variation 13
Variation 14
Variation 15
Variation 16
Variation 17
Variation 18
Variation 19
Variation 20
Variation 21
Variation 22
Variation 23
Variation 24

Tracks:

Moderato
Adagio Sostenuto
Allegro Scherzando
Allegro Ma Non Tanto
Intermezzo: Adagio
Finale: Alla Breve

Tracks:

No. 1 In F Minor: Allegro Non Troppo
No. 2 In C Major: Allegro
No. 3 In C Minor: Grave
No. 4 In D Minor: Moderato
No. 5 In E Flat Minor: Non Allegro
No. 6 In E Flat Major: Allegro Con Fuoco
No. 7 In G Minor: Moderato
No. 8 In C Sharp Minor: Grave
No. 1 In C Minor: Allegro Agitato
No. 2 In A Minor: Lento Assai
No. 3 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro Molto
No. 4 In B Minor: Allegro Assai
No. 5 In E Flat Minor: Appassionata
No. 6 In A Minor: Allegro
No. 7 In C Minor: Lento
No. 8 In D Minor: Allegro Moderato
No. 9 In D Major: Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

No. 1 In F Sharp Minor
No. 2 In F Major
No. 3 In C Minor - E Flat Minor
I. Romance In F Sharp Minor
II. Prelude In E Flat Minor
III. Melodie In E Major
IV. Gavotte In D Major
I. Nocturne In A Minor
II. Valse In A Major
III. Barcarolle In G Minor
IV. Melodie In E Minor
V. Humoresque In G Major
VI. Romance In F Minor
VII. Mazurka In D Flat Major

Tracks:

No. 1 In F Sharp Minor: Largo
No. 2 In B Major: Maestoso
No. 3 In D Minor: Tempo Di Minuetto
No. 4 In D Major: Andante Cantabile
No. 5 In G Minor: Alla Marcia
No. 6 In E Flat Major: Andante
No. 7 In C Minor: Allegro
No. 8 In A Flat Major: Allegro Vivace
No. 9 In E Flat Minor: Presto
No. 10 In G Flat Major: Largo
No. 1: Elegie In E Flat Minor
No. 2: Prelude In C Sharp Minor
No. 3: Melodie In E Major
No. 4: Polichinelle In F Sharp Minor
No. 5: Serenade In B Flat Minor

Tracks:

No. 1 In C Major: Allegro Vivace
No. 2 In B Flat Minor: Allegretto
No. 3 In E Major: Allegro Vivace
No. 4 In E Minor: Allegro Con Brio
No. 5 In G Major: Moderato
No. 6 In F Minor: Allegro Appassionato
No. 7 In F Major: Moderato
No. 8 In A Minor: Vivo
No. 9 In A Major: Allegro Moderato
No. 10 In B Minor: Lento
No. 11 In B Major: Allegretto
No. 12 In G Sharp Minor: Allegro
No. 13 In D Flat Major: Grave - Allegro
Liebesleid
Liebesfreud

Tracks:

Allegro Moderato
Lento
Allegro Molto
Allegro Agitato
Non Allegro - Lento - L'istesso Tempo
Allegro Molto

Tracks:

Allegro Agitato
Non Allegro
Allegro Molto
Theme: Andante
Var. I: Poco Piu Mosso
Var. II: L'istesso Tempo
Var. III: Tempo Di Menuetto
Var. IV: Andante
Var. V: Allegro (Ma Non Tanto)
Var. VI: L'istesso Tempo
Var. VII: Vivace
Var. VIII: Adagio Misterioso
Var. IX: Un Poco Piu Mosso
Var. X: Allegro Scherzando
Var. XI: Allegro Vivace
Var. XII: L'istesso Tempo
Var. XIII: Agitato
Intermezzo
Var. XIV: Andante (Come Prima)
Var. XV: L'istesso Tempo
Var. XVI: Allegro Vivace
Var. XVII: Meno Mosso
Var. XVIII: Allegro Con Brio
Var. XIX: Piu Mosso, Agitato
Var. XX: Piu Mosso
Coda: Andante
No. 1: Andantino
No. 2: Allegretto
No. 3: Andante Cantabile
No. 4: Presto
No. 5: Adagio Sostenuto
No. 6: Maestoso

Tracks:

Prelude
Gavotte
Gigue
Wohin
Scherzo
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Gopak
L'Arlesienne - Minuetto
Flight Of The Bumble-Bee
Lullaby
Daisies
Lilacs
Dance Of The Young Gypsy Maidens
Liebesleid
Liebesfreud
Polka W.R.
The Star Spangled Banner

Tracks:

Theme: Largo
Var. I: Moderato
Var. II: Allegro
Var. III (Allegro)
Var. IV: (Allegro)
Var. V: Meno Mosso
Var. VI: Meno Mosso
Var. VII: Allegro
Var. VIII (Allegro)
Var. IX (Allegro)
Var. X: Piu Vivo
Var. XI: Lento
Var. XII: Moderato
Var. XIII: Largo
Var. XIV: Moderato
Var. XV: Allegro Scherzando
Var. XVI: Lento
Var. XVII: Grave
Var. XVIII: Piu Mosso
Var. XIX: Allegro Vivace
Var. XX: Presto
Var. XXI: Andante - Piu Vivo
Var. XXII: Maestoso - Presto
Moment musical, Op. 16, No. 2
Lento In D Minor
Canon In E Minor
Fughetta In F Major
Morceau de fantaisie In G Minor
Piece In D Minor
Fragments
Oriental Sketch
Prelude In F Major
Andante ma non troppo In D Minor

Customer Reviews:

Idil amazing.......2006-07-19

No other performer compares to idil. HANDS down. HEr unique and individual style sets her apart from every other performer past and present.

Her recording of Rachmaninov's prelude in C sharp minor can only be topped by rachmaninov himself.

Every time i hear i new song from her, i feel i grow as a pianist.

Essential Rachmaninoff at a good price........2002-07-10

Buy this box set. Biret is great. She plays Rachmaninoff straight up and doesn't taint the compositions with any wild "interpretations." And the recording quality is five star, too. I bought this in order to snag some lesser known Rachmaninoff that I loved (Cinq Morceaux, Moments Musicaux, etc.) and I really got what I paid for. Take a look at the huge tracklist - this is the Rachmaninoff you've been missing out on.

Average customer rating:

Top ten of any performance ever!
Largely Dispensable
A Mix of Sensitive, Passionate, and Vulgar Playing...
Great value!
Simply Great!

Vladimir Horowitz: The Indispensable

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polonaises | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Ballads | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Scherzo | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Barcarolles | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Horowitz Plays Mussorgsky, Scriabin, Prokofiev, and others
Horowitz Encores
Horowitz Live and Unedited [includes Bonus DVD]
Great Pianists on Piano Playing: Godowsky, Hofmann, Lhevinne, Paderewski and 24 Other Legendary Performers (Great Pianists: In Their Own Words)
Horowitz At Home

ASIN: B000026CV2
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Polonaise - Fantasie, Op. 61, In A-flat Major
Sonata, K 127, L. 186 In A - flat Major
Sonata, K. 87, L. 33, In B Minor
Sonata, K. 135, L. 224, In E Major
Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 5
Scherzo No. 1, Op. 20, In B Minor
Etude, Op. 10, No. 4, In C-sharp Minor
Etincelles, Op. 36, No. 6
Prelude, Op. 23, No. 5, in G Minor: Prelude, Op. 23, No. 5
Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 3, in B Major
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Nocturne, Op. 27, No. 1, In C - sharp Minor
Scherzo No. 2, Op. 31, In B-flat Minor
Etude, Op. 72, No. 6, In F Major
Variations On A Theme From 'Carmen'

Tracks:

Mephisto Waltz No. 1
Barcarolle, Op. 60, In F-sharp Major
Etude, Op. 2, No. 1, In C-sharp Minor
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 5, In G Major
Nocturne, Op. 72, No. 1, In E Minor
Etude, Op. 8, No. 7, In B-flat Minor
Barcarolle, Op. 10, No. 3
Polonaise, Op. 53, In A-flat Major
Rakoczy March (Hungarian Rhapsody No. 15)
Etude, Op. 8, No. 12, In D-sharp Minor
Etude, Op. 25, No. 7, In C-sharp Minor
Ballade No. 1, Op. 23, In G Minor
Etude, Op. 42, No. 5, In C-sharp Minor
The Stars And Stripes Forever

Customer Reviews:

Top ten of any performance ever!.......2004-07-08

We made sure our home had hardwood floors just so we could enjoy this performance at its absolute best. Listen to it at lifelike volume and enjoy the ride: it sounds like it could unravel at any moment, but it never does. So many performances of this work are technically stunning, but tremendously dull. Horowitz brings this piece to life like no other pianist. But, if you can find it, Lazar Berman's recording for CBS was stunning.

Largely Dispensable.......2004-06-12

Beginning with a rather tinny Polonaise-Fantaisie, Horowitz follows it up with three relatively stunning Scarlatti sonatas. I am terrified by his reading of the Rachmaninoff G Minor prelude, he uses practically NO pedal at all. The Hungarian Rhapsody by Liszt is borderlining on out of control throughout, as is typical by Horowitz. The Chopin B Major Nocturne is one of the few highlights on this first disc.

Horowitz's Mephisto Waltz has always been horrific, blaring and, dare I say, bangy. I still can not fathom how the greatest pianist of the twentieth century could play a piece so poorly! The highlights of the second disc are certainly the Scriaban preludes. In concurrence with a previous reviewer, the Chopin Ballade is by no means acceptable. If you are looking for the best recording of this piece, Horowitz Live and Unedited, the recording of the 1965 Carnegie Hall return concert, is absolutely unsurpassable.

RCA squeaked out a three-star rating with some fine selections, but others are, simply . . . not good. If you are looking for Horowitz at his best, the previously mentioned "Live and Unedited" CD is the best of his I own, out of about 12 CD's.

A Mix of Sensitive, Passionate, and Vulgar Playing..........2003-07-07

Horowitz has always been a controversial figure in the music world, and this CD can help explain why. It abounds in obscene playing of Chopin (it's an almost painful experience to listen to the reading of the first Ballade) and contains some ridiculously eccentric Liszt (it sounds as if Horowitz plays the last two chords of the first Mephisto Waltz with his elbows). Apart from these shenanagins, however, Horowitz offers up several sparkling Scarlatti Sonatas, beautifully passionate Scriabin Etudes, and demonically exciting original transcriptions such as The Stars and Stripes Forever and the Carmen Variations. The two other Liszt selections are also very entertaining. My rating of three stars is based on the overall quality of playing on this particular album and not on my opinion of Horowitz in general. Still, this recording is worth the money for the few treats I have mentioned.

Great value!.......2003-06-08

This is a great value double-CD album. Horowitz is my top pianist. Not only do I enjoy the boundless passions of his playing, but I also find in his rich range of expressions something beyond techniques and maturity that other pianists cannot rival. This is an ideal album for anyone who wants to experience the colours and virtuosity of the renowned pianist.

Simply Great!.......2003-06-06

Average customer rating:

Piano/Dreams

Piano Dreams

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00007L4R7
Release Date: 2003-01-07

Tracks:

Erik Satie: Gymnopidie No.1 - Lent et douloureux
Franz Liszt: Rjve D'Amour No. 3 in A-flat major
Peter Ilyitch Tchaikovsky: Octobre - Chant D'Automne
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Sonata in A minor, Ks. 310 - II. Andante catabile con espressione
Ludwig van Beethoven: : Sonata No.14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27 No. 2 Moonlight - I. Adagio sestenuto
Robert Schumann: : Fantaisie in C major, Op. 17 III. Langsam getragen. Durchweg leise zu halten
Sergei Rachmaninov: Eligie in E-flat minor, Op. 3 No.1
Paderewski: Nocturne in B flat, Op. 16 No. 4
Erik Satie: Gnossienne No.1
Maurice Ravel: Pavane pour une infante difunte
George Gershwin: Prelude No. 2
George Gershwin: Love Walked In

Tracks:

Claude Debussy: Clair de lune (from Suite Bergamasque)
Edvard Grieg: Notturno in C major (Pihces lyriques, Op. 54 No. 4)
Alexander Scriabin: Prilude in F-sharp minor, Op. 11 No. 8
Frederic Chopin: Nocturne in C minor, Op. 48 No.1
Frederic Chopin: Nocturne in C-sharp minor
Franz Liszt: Au lac de Wallenstadt (Annis de phlerinage, I. La Suisse)
Claude Debussy: La soiree dans Grenade
Artur Rubinstein: Melody In F
Maurice Ravel: Ondine (from Gaspardde la nuit)
Francis Poulenc: Improvisations in C minor, FP 176 No.15- Hommage A Edith Piaf
Sergei Rachmaninov: Prelude in F- sharp minor, Op. 23
Gabrilovich: Melodie in F
Leos Janacek: On the Overgrown Path
Samuel Barber: Sonate Op. 26 - III. Adagio mesto
Roger Quilter: The Crimson Petal
Henri Dutilleux: D'ombre et de silence (from 3 Preludes)

Customer Reviews:

Piano/Dreams.......2003-02-24

I love this cd so much I been play in my store all time and so many customers come up to ask what's cd are we playing and where to get it, i give them all information I know. we love it.

Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Recordings

Average customer rating:

Save some $ money! Get the newer January 2006 reissue set instead.
6, or Even 7 Stars!
A must have for Piano and classical music lovers
Ah, Rachmaninoff, brilliant star of music, how we adore you
Review from a spoiled modern listener

Sergei Rachmaninoff: The Complete Recordings

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003FB7
Release Date: 1992-09-15

Tracks:

Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Moderato; Allegro
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Adagio sostenuto
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Allegro scherzando
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Allegro ma non tanto
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Intermezzo: Adagio
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Finale: Alla breve

Tracks:

Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Vivace
Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Andante
Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro vivace
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Allegro vivace
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Largo
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Allegro vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Introduction: Allegro vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation I: (Precedente)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Tema: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation II: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation III: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation IV: Piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation V: Tempo precedente
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VI: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VII: Meno mosso, a tempo moderato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VIII: Tempo I
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation IX: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation X: Poco marcato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XI: Moderato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XII: Tempo di minuetto
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIII: Allegro
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIV: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XV: Piu vivo scherzando
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVI: Allegretto
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVII: (Allegretto)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVIII: Andante cantabile
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIX: A tempo vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XX: Un poco piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXI: Un poco piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXII: Un poco piu vivo (Alla breve)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXIII: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXIV: A tempo un poco meno mosso

Tracks:

Isle Of The Dead, Op. 29
Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Lento; Allegro moderato
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Adagio ma non troppo
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Allegro assai
Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso
Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Allegro vivace
Sonata D. 574 In A: Allegro moderato
Sonata D. 574 In A: Scherzo: Presto; Trio
Sonata D. 574 In A: Andantino
Sonata D. 574 In A: Allegro vivace
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegro molto ed appassionato
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegro animato

Tracks:

Partita No. 4, BWV 828: Sarabande
Harpsichord Suite No. 5: Air And Variations - 'Harmonious Blacksmith'
Sonata, K. 331: III: Turkish March
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Thema: Allegretto
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation I
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation II
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation III
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation IV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation V
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation IX
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation X
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIX
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXIV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXXI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXXII
Return Home
Polish Songs: The Maiden's Wish
Die schone Mullerin: Das Wandern
Schwanengesang: Serenade
Polonaise No. 2 In E
Songs Without Words, Op. 67: Spinning Song
Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 4 In A Flat
Concert Etude No. 2: Gnomenreigen
Orfeo ed Euridice: Melodie
Etude, Op. 104b, No. 2 In F
Etude, Op. 104b, No. 3 In A Minor
Spanisches Liederspeil: The Smuggler
Minuet, Op. 14, No. 1 In G
Liebesfreud

Tracks:

Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Grave; Doppio movimento
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Scherzo
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Marche funebre
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Presto
Carnaval, Op. 9: Preambule
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pierrot
Carnaval, Op. 9: Arlequin
Carnaval, Op. 9: Valse noble
Carnaval, Op. 9: Eusebius
Carnaval, Op. 9: Florestan
Carnaval, Op. 9: Coquette
Carnaval, Op. 9: Replique
Carnaval, Op. 9: Sphinxes
Carnaval, Op. 9: Papillons
Carnaval, Op. 9: A. S. C. H. - S. C. H. A. (Letteres dansantes)
Carnaval, Op. 9: Chiarina
Carnaval, Op. 9: Chopin
Carnaval, Op. 9: Estrella
Carnaval, Op. 9: Reconnaissance
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pantalon et Colombine
Carnaval, Op. 9: Valse allemande
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pganini (Intermezzo)
Carnaval, Op. 9: Aveu
Carnaval, Op. 9: Promenade
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pause
Carnaval, Op. 9: Marche des 'Davidsbundler' contre les Philistins
Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 In E Flat
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 2 In C Sharp
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3
Ballade No. 3, Op. 47 In A Flat
Mazurka, Op. 68, No. 2
Waltz, Op. Posth. In E Minor

Tracks:

Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Preludio
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Gavotte
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Gigue
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo
Liebersfreud
Die schone Mullerin: The Brooklet
Polka de V.R.
Etude-tableau, Op. 39, No. 6 In A Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
Sorochintsy Fair: Hopac
Lullaby, Op. 16, No.1
Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumblebee
The Ruins Of Athens: Turkish March
Scherzo In A Flat
The Seasons: November: Troika
Prelude No. 8, Op. 11, No. 8 In F Sharp
One Lives But Once
Powder and Paint
Polka italienne (Piano 4 Hands)

Tracks:

Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Maderato; Allegro
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Adagio sostenuto
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Allegro scherzando
Prelude, Op. 23, No. 10 In G Flat
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 3 In E Major
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 7 In F Major
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 6 In F Minor
Etude-tableau, Op. 33, No. 2 in C Major
Etude-tableau, Op. 33, No. 7 In E Flat
Daisies, Op. 38, No. 3
Oriental Sketch
Melodie, Op. 3, No. 3 in E
Serenade, Op. 3, No. 5 In B Flat
Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 5 In G
Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5
Moment Musical, Op. 16, No. 2 In E Flat

Tracks:

Mazurka, Op. 63, No. 3 In C Sharp Minor
Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 2 In F Sharp
Waltz, Op. 18 'Grande valse brilliante' In E Flat
Waltz, Op. 34, No. 3 'Valse brilliante' In F
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute'
Waltz, Op. 69, No. 2 In B Minor
Waltz, Op. 70, No. 1 In G Flat
Scherzo No. 3, Op. 39 In C Sharp Minor
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute' In D Flat
Le coucou
L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1: Minuet
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Songs Without Words, Op. 67: Spinning Song
Waltz
Lyric Pieces, Op. 12: Elfin Dance
Etude, Op. 28, No. 6 In F Minor
If I Were a Bird
La jongleuse
Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum
Children's Corner: Golliwogg's Cakewalk
The Seasons: November: Troika
Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 2 In G
Waltz, Op. 40, No. 8 In A Flat

Tracks:

Prelude, Op. 23, No. 5 In G Minor
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 12 In G Sharp Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 5 In G
Serenade, Op. 3, No. 5 In B Flat
Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5
Polichinelle, Op. 3, No. 4 In F Sharp Minor
Polka de V.R.
Liebesleid
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Pastorale In E Minor
Theme and Variations
Waltz, Op. 42 'Two - Four' In A Flat
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3 In A Flat
Polka de V.R.
Bacarolle, Op. 10, No. 3 In G Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor

Amazon.com

We remember Rachmaninov today mostly for the music he wrote. But as this set quickly reveals, he was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, able to play his own music and a great variety of others with tremendous personality and a technique that is still astonishing. There's no point picking highlights from this set, since they are everywhere. But if you've never heard Rachmaninov play Schumann's Carnaval, try starting there for one of the most imaginative recreations of a piece of music ever recorded. The set also includes Rachmaninov's only recordings as a conductor in two of his own major works. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Save some $ money! Get the newer January 2006 reissue set instead........2006-05-17

At the time of this review, whenever you search for a phrase such as "Rachmaninoff Complete", amazon's search engine always lands on this out-of-print recording (ASIN: B000003FB7) . It's also no fun to see that it costs more than a hundred bucks! But if you type "B000A2AD2S" in the search box, you'll see the new reissued set for half the price. It's the exact same 10 CDs. Just the cover art is different.

Unfortunately, this situation is a common pattern with amazon's listing of classical music: when you use your intuition and type in common-sense search phrases for Bach, Mozart, etc, you often get the ultra-expensive out-of-print ships-in-4-weeks items as the default item. It takes a lot of detective work to find the newer reissue recordings. For example, to find the new reissue without knowing the ASIN, I had to enter just "Rachmaninoff" in the search text (deliberately left the word "Complete" out of the search) so it would no longer lock me into this item page that you're looking at and give me a full listing instead. I then sorted the listing by "Original Release Date" and found it on the 2nd page. There's no picture on the new item which doesn't give you any confidence that you found the right one. Don't worry, B000A2AD2S is what you want.

For product research, it's good to have both ASIN product listings because the older out-of-print B000003FB7 has the sound samples (and also all the helpful customer reviews) while the new B000A2AD2S has the better price and availability.

To make things even more confusing, the amazon staff sometimes copies entire customer reviews to the new item which would then make THIS review seem strangely out of place. If that happens and I notice it, I will delete this review for B000003FB7.

(In another strange twist, amazon searches in rock/pop usually points you to the newer cheaper remastered/repackaged/reissued/whatever of a particular recording. I don't know why it works the opposite way in classical music?!?!)

6, or Even 7 Stars!.......2005-06-04

Hofmann hit the nail on the head when he said Rachmaninov had "arms of steel and heart of gold". From this album, we can have a clear picture of Rachmaninov's vison of music, of his musical mind and thoughts and moreover his own playing.

While Kempff's playing would often remind of the protestant church music, Rachmaninov bring to our mind the chanting of the Orthodox church, which is much thicker and darker. On top of that, his playing is orchestral which is so powerful and full colours. Yet, it is nothing like Richter, where often the whole piece is just one phrase.

Here each piece has it's own life and identity each with a focal point. It is water tight compact and yet very much natural and alive, never as hair-raising as Horowitz. But, it is not natural in Arrau's way. It is somewhere in between, closer to Argerich but with more consistency and depth. And like Casals' playing, it keeps our attention from the first note up to its focal point until its very end. But unlike Casals, he touches our hearts. It is very emotional but never to the point of being sentimental-- the performance of his own concertos, for example, can tell you that.

Sure, he did have fingers of steel that helped him to bring out whatever colour or atmostphere as appropriate. And despite that fact that there are some minor alterations on the scores like his Chopin, he is one of the few pianists who could really show you every note on the score counts and, above all, how it counts...

His Chopin may not be as neurotic as Cortot. Nonetheless, he sheds light on the dark and nervous side of Chopin so well: a very throbbing interpretation that is so unique. We also have him accompanying Kreisler on some violin sonatas, something that one could turn to time and again, year after year. What a great chamber musician and accompanist he was...!

The recorded sound of the CDs do vary, and some are more acceptable than the others. But for genuine music lovers, they should be able to get over this very soon: how else would they benefit from one of the greatest legacies of a genuinely great musician!

A must have for Piano and classical music lovers.......2005-04-04

To respond to a review about the sound quality-for those people who have no experience with historical performances i.e cortot-hofmann-etc these discs are for the most part much better recorded. There are the inevitable pops and hisses but if these things disturb you, or you cant get past them, then you shouldnt be listening to this kind of thing anyway. the importance here is in the playing, and the playing is extra ordinary. I you want to buy a disc for the reperatoire then i can think of hundreds of performances that will satisfy, but only people with a true interest to hear and study these pieces will be beyond satisfied. I know that may not sound like a lot of fun, but these discs are fun, great, and for me, almost too good to be true. Again, if sound disturbs you, then you may be listening to the music for the wrong reasons. Take from it the playing, the revelations that Rach provides to his pieces, and how fortunate we are that it sounds as good as it does.

Ah, Rachmaninoff, brilliant star of music, how we adore you.......2003-09-14

The music of Rachmaninoff is beyond words, furthermore, beyond imagination. He was a genius, no doubt, and nobody will ever understand how incredibly lucky we are to be blessed with his compositions. Furthermore, it is truly astonishing to hear Rachmaninoff play his own work. There is nothing so beautiful on this earth and there never will be.

Review from a spoiled modern listener.......2003-07-13

I'll admit that I'm a spoiled modern listener, accustomed to having the bang and hiss edited out of a recording, and it took me a while to warm to these. Rachmaninoff's performances are splendid, but if you can hardly hear them over the cacophony of background noise, what's the use? His performance of his own, often overlooked Concerto No. 4 finally made me sit up and listen, even though I've owned two versions of this piece for a number of years (Ashkenazy & Wild).

The Complete Piano Music of Sergei Rachmaninov

Average customer rating:

Endless pleasure

The Complete Piano Music of Sergei Rachmaninov

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Canons | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Not Too Late

ASIN: B00000DUE6
Release Date: 1993-09-01

Customer Reviews:

Endless pleasure.......2007-01-24

Fortunately for my pocketbook, I listen to these recordings now mostly from my iTunes library or on my iPod. I say fortunately because I would have long since worn them out. Few of my hundreds of CDs have given me as much pleasure over many years as these. I don't doubt that one can find individual performances of many of these works that may top Shelley's, but for sheer, consistent quality in both interpretation and sound this set is hard to beat. While I have many Rachmaninov recordings by Russian performers, I find myself coming back to Shelley's by preference most of the time. Only in the case of Alexis Weissenberg's characteristically manic DG performance of the two piano sonatas do I find myself regularly drifting from Shelley.

Shelley's recordings of the piano concertos with Bryden Thomson and the Scottish National Orchestra are likewise solid and thoroughly enjoyable as are his three recordings, with various singers (notably Sergei Leiferkus), of the wonderful Rachmaninov Lieder.

Average customer rating:

Ultimate Classic Performances

Manufacturer: Bci / Eclipse Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000085RTK
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Rachmaninov: Preludes/Moments Musicaux/Ravel: Gaspard de La Nuit

Average customer rating:

Good Rachmaninov But Better Ravel.
A smashing sampling of Rachmaninov.
Jed Distler, you make me sick
Worth it for the Ravel too...

Rachmaninov: Preludes/Moments Musicaux/Ravel: Gaspard de La Nuit

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Prld Op.23 No.2 in B flat
Prld Op.23 No.1 in f#
Etude-Tableau Op.39 No.3 in f#
Prld Op.23 No.6 in E flat
Prld Op.32 No.12in g#
Prld Op.23 No.5 in g
Elegie Op.3 No.1 in e flat
Moment Musical Op.16 No.3 in b
Moment Musical Op.16 No.4 in e
Moment Musical Op.16 No.5 in D flat
Moment Musical Op.16 No.6 in C
Etude-Tableau, Op.39 No.5 e flat
Gaspard De La Nuit: I. Ondine. Lent
Gaspard De La Nuit: II. Le Gibet. Tres Lent
Gaspard De La Nuit: III. Scarbo. Modere

Amazon.com

Andrei Gavrilov's 1982 Rachmaninoff recital is a knockout. His astounding technique allows him to navigate Rachmaninoff's thick, swirling textures without getting bogged down by details. The B-flat Major Prelude and F- sharp Minor Étude-Tableau, for instance, boast unrelenting ferocity and rhythmic drive, while the introspective selections never yield to sentimental lingering. The pianist's fidgety rubatos in the Ravel, though, impede rather than support the music's natural flow. Make sure you have the Ivo Pogorelich (DG) or Arturo Michelangeli (Music & Arts) Gaspards in your larder, and buy this for the Rachmaninoff. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Good Rachmaninov But Better Ravel........2006-01-05

I am an admirer of Gavrilov based on his recordings of Bach's piano concertos and Prokofiev's sonatas. However, as impressive as his virtuoso pyrotechnics are on this 1984 recording of a selection of Rachmaninov's Preludes and Moments musicaux, I much preferred the slower passages than the ones played at great speed and with great force. I compared Gavrilov's version of Rachmaninov's Prelude, Op. 23/2, which is the first track on this CD, with Dmitri Alexeev's recording of the same piece, and found that I preferred Alexeev's.

I found the quality of the recorded sound less harsh on the Alexeev 2-CD set; also, even though this is a Prelude that is played fast and with fortissimo passages, I found that Alexeev nevertheless managed to convey moments of lyrical beauty in this piece that Gavrilov did not.

The problem may not necessarily be with Gavrilov's performance, but something in the actual recorded sound of the piano in the fortissimo passages, which have a sound that reminds me too much that the piano is a percussive instrument. As one of the other reviewers has written, "the recording quality itself is abundant and up-front (perhaps even too up-front for some tastes)." I believe that the "some tastes" group includes me.

There are different variables that can affect the sound of a recording, such as the instrument used, the placing of the microphone, the type of recording equipment used, the acoustics of the recording location, and the sound engineering. Something about the sound quality of the piano in the louder and faster passages of Rachmaninov sounds a bit harsh to my ears.

And yet, leaving aside the somewhat harsh qualities of the faster and more energetic pieces, the slower Rachmaninov selections, such as the second track, "Prelude, Op. 23/1," for example, or the seventh track, "Elegie, Op. 3/1," are quite beautiful.

As for the 1978 recording of Ravel's "Gaspard de la nuit," that completes this CD, the performance is wonderful. In the Ravel selection, the piano has a tone that is softer and more rich, not only because these are generally slow passages, but perhaps because the recording was made at a different time and under different circumstances. In the Ravel, even when the playing becomes more rapid and louder in some passages, the actual sound of the piano remains full and rich, not hollow or metallic.

For an excellent performance of the Rachmaninov Preludes and Moments musicaux, I would recommend the 2-CD 1993 recording by Dmitri Alexeev, on Virgin Classics, of the Preludes Op. 23 & 32, the Morceaux de fantaisie Op. 3, and the Moments musicaux Op. 16. It has better sound quality and is much more complete.

Also, whereas the CD insert of the Alexeev 2-CD set has a small but informative essay, the insert of the Gavrilov CD has no information at all about either the Rachmaninov or Ravel compositions, and only a few very brief, sketchy notes about Gavrilov together with a paragraph of general information about pianos are constructed.

I recommend this CD without reservation for the Ravel, and with some reservation for the Rachmaninov.

A smashing sampling of Rachmaninov........2002-05-20

The greatest disappointment one will get from hearing Gavrilov play the assorted Preludes and Etudes Tableaux of Rachmaninov on this disc is that the complete works aren't available (and shame on EMI if they recorded them all and did not issue them).

My evaluation concurs strongly with the reviews made of Andrei Gavrilov in such publications as the Penguin Guide to CDs. His account of all the works on this disc (Rachmaninov and Ravel) demonstrates a powerful and near superhuman vitality. The recording quality itself is abundant and up-front (perhaps even too up-front for some tastes). Nevertheless, the listener will never be bored with this disc. These performances, though only samplings of entire Rachmaninov sets, stand strongly among those of other great artists such as Vladimir Ashkenazy and Howard Shelley.

This is an excellent value at very low price.

Jed Distler, you make me sick.......1999-08-14

See the one-line summary

Worth it for the Ravel too..........1999-07-19

I disagree that Gavrilov's Ravel is sub-par. I own the Pogorelich and two of several Michelangeli recordings of the Gaspard and I believe Gavrilov's is the most satisfying overall. All three recordings, as well as Argerich's, deserve a place in any Gaspard-collection. Gavrilov's rendition conveys more emotion than any other recording, which is remarkable given the piece's technical difficulty.As spellbinding as the Moments Musicaux and Etudes Tableaux, the Ravel makes this disc a must-own for Gaspard and Rachmaninov aficionados.