Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos no 3 and 4 / Ashkenazy, Previn (Penguin Music Classics Series)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Amidst the 20th century's most disconcerting musical developments--12-tone rows, aleatoric compositions, Cage's musical chance--Sergei Rachmaninov's effusive piano works are downright comforting. Novelist William Boyd, who writes the liner note to this reissue, remarks similarly that upon revisiting Rachmaninov's piano works, he found them so familiar as to be a bit tiresome. But Boyd discovered in coming upon Rachmaninov's first three piano concertos that his "want to be exalted and to be made melancholy" is somehow keenly matched with the music. Andre Previn's piano certainly reassures that the long-honored traditions of grand form are in good stead, what with the lush strings alternating with his own outstanding, high-temperature passion in the Allegro ma non tanto and the blasting Finale of the third concerto. Virtuosity hangs all over this music, and since it is the music of one of the concerto's most demanding piano composers, there are more bright-light moments than can be easily enumerated. Previn's up to the Rachmaninov task, weaving and bolting through the orchestra. As Boyd remarks, this is easily music for either the musician or non-musician in that it pervades the senses while throwing neurotransmitters and emotions into high gear. --Andrew Bartlett

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: I Vivace
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: II Andante
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: III Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18: I Moderato
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18: II Adagio sostenuto
Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op.18: III Allegro scherzando

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: I Allegro ma non tanto
Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: II Intermezzo: Adagio
Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: III Finale (Alla breve)
Piano Concerto No.4 In D Minor, Op.40: I Allegro vivace (Alla breve)
Piano Concerto No.4 In D Minor, Op.40: II Largo
Piano Concerto No.4 In D Minor, Op.40: III Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

This is the one to buy!.......2007-06-13

A number of years ago, I went to the Classical Record Store in Toronto to acquire a copy of Rachmaninov's Piano Concertos. Like many others, I'd been introduced to Rachmaninov's 3rd Piano Concerto by the movie "Shine". When I asked the resident musicologist for Rach 3, she rolled her eyes. I explained that I wasn't remotely interested in the commercial David Helfgott version. I wanted the definitive version. She smiled knowingly and took me to a shelf. This is the version she handed me. Buy it. You won't be disappointed! Ashkenazy is at the peak of his powers and Previn does a phenomenal job with the London Symphony. It doesn't get any better than this.

An easy first choice.......2006-06-12

If you are looking for a standard stereo recording of the four concertoes, you don't have to look hard to realize that this set would be a nice and easy choice. Ashkenazy's performances of the Rachmaninov concertos are poetic, full of passions and yearnings, and technically excellent. This 2CD set is sold at the price of one full-priced CD, so it should be a good bargain. If you are a newcomer to Rachmaninov, this set is highly recommended. Later on when you have become familiar with these concertos you might also want to check out the renditions by Argerich and Horowitz, both of which contain some of the most spectacular displays of keyboard fireworks. These recordings by Ashkenazy have been reissued many times and the most recent one I believe is the 2 separate disks in the Eloquence series. Sonically the Eloquence reissues were artificially reprocessed in order to create wider dynamics and better sense of immediacy. Get either this one or the other, it doesn't matter which, what matters is that every Rachmaninov lover should have these recordings as basic items in his/her collection.

The champion of Rachmaninov's music........2005-12-25

This is a very good set of Rachmaninov's piano works for a very reasonable price indeed. For those who are unfamiliar with the great russian composer's piano works, from the blazing horns, swelling piano chords and seductive strings opening the first piano concerto you feel right away you're in for a very special musical experience.

Normally, when you know and appreciate what a musician has created throughout his career, there's almost always one piece of work that stands out or that you like more than the others. When it comes to Rachmaninov's piano works, mine would certainly be the Piano Concerto no 3, one of the most beautiful piano works that were ever written, and also the Concerto no 4. There's a certain nostalgia about this latter work, like feelings about a past gone forever, and you can feel this leitmotiv during the whole concerto. Maybe the fact that Rachmaninov wrote this wonderful concerto after having moved permanently to the US and therefore feeling homesick has something to do with it.

As for Mr Ashkenazy, he simply is the best interpreter when it comes to Rachmaninov's piano works. The great Vladimir is temperate rather than romantic, cool and constantly in control: sometimes he seems pouring out rivers of emotions and passion without getting carried away though. He has the musicality and intelligence to understand exactly how these concertos work. He has phenomenal technique, original approach, and his touch is quite fiery at times, gentle and tender at others. He can be poetic and passionate when he needs to.

In Rachmaninov's piano concertos the orchestra plays a vital role, often playing the main theme melodies while the piano accompanies, which is rather unusual. In this regard, the London Symphonic Orchestra and conductor A. Prévin are one of the best. Couple this with Rachmaninov's music and Ashkenazy's interpretation, and you're in for a very special musical treat indeed.

Thoughtful but passionate interpretations.......2005-07-09

After listening to a recording of Rachmaninoff's 2nd concerto and hearing a lot about the 3rd concerto, I jumped at buying this CD because of the low cost for two CDs - I was not disappointed.

For me the highlight by far is the third piano concerto, where Ashkenazy seems to pour out passion without getting carried away. This recording I much prefer to Argerich's recording (passionate, but little restraint and thought put into that performance) and even Horowitz's (although this may be because of it's worse sound quality). The first movement is played slower than most other performances, but is filled with passion and technical mastery. I am starting to learn this concerto and know how difficult it is! I was glad to see that Ashkenazy used the longer, chordal codenza rather than the shorter one used by Horowitz and Argerich (those are the only other recordings I've heard) with I much prefer.

The first and fourth concertos are also fabulously played but for me they don't compare to the third. The second concerto, however, was a little bit of a disappointment for me (not enough for me to give the discs 4 stars, however). Because I have already learned this concerto, I'm probably quicker to find faults with Ashkenazy's playing here. If I could put my finger on what I don't like about it it would be the balance between the piano and orchestra - you can hardly hear the piano at some of the most difficult sections. Still, the orchestra sounds beautiful and so does the piano when you can hear it.

Since listening to this disc Ashkenazy has quickly become one of my favorite pianists - as has Levine as a conductor. I would heartily recommend this CD for anyone, but especially for anyone who ever aspires to play any of these pieces - all four of the are beautiful and these performances are well thought-out and powerful.

Very good.......2005-03-18

These performances are wonderful, and to those who think otherwise, I do not really know another complete set that has performances as good as this. Ashkenazy is, as usual, amazing, and this particular set of the many Ashkenazy/Previn Rachmaninov Concertos sets is often called definitive. The sound quality is pretty good. Highly recommended.
By the way, Vladimir Ashkenazy holds the position of President of the Rachmaninov Society, which makes this set a no brainer.

Average customer rating:

Ashkenazy - one of the best musicians of our time
Illustrious Dark
Ashkenazy's fluidity: a very good fit with Rachmaninov
My Favorite Rachmaninov Interpreter
Superb set of Rachmaninov's complete Piano works

Rachmaninov: The Piano Concertos

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Rachmaninov: The Symphonies
Liszt: Piano Works
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Brahms: Works for Solo Piano
Mozart: The Piano Concertos

ASIN: B0000041ML
Release Date: 1997-08-12

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op. 1: I. Vivace - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op. 1: II. Andante - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F Sharp Minor, Op. 1: III. Allegro vivace - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: I. Moderato - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: II. Adagio sostenuto - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 2 In C Minor, Op. 18: III. Allegro scherzando - S. Rachmaninoff

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: Allegro ma non tanto - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: Intermezzo: Adagio - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: Finale (Alla breve) - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: Allegro vivace (Alla breve) - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: Largo - S. Rachmaninoff
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: Allegro vivace - S. Rachmaninoff

Tracks:

Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini: Op. 43 - Rachmaninov
Piano Sonato No. 2 in B Flat Minor, Op. 36: I. Allegro agitato - Rachmaninov
Piano Sonato No. 2 in B Flat Minor, Op. 36: II. Non allegro - Rachmaninov
Piano Sonato No. 2 in B Flat Minor, Op. 36: III. Allegro molto - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 1 in F minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 2 in C major - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 3 in C minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 4 in D minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 5 in E flat minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 6 in E flat major - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 7 in G minor - Rachmaninov
8 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 33: No. 8 in C sharp minor - Rachmaninov
Prelude in C sharp minor, Op. 3, No. 2 - Rachmaninov

Tracks:

10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 1 In F Sharp Minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 2 In B Flat Major - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 3 in D minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 4 In D Major - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5 In G Minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 6 In E Flat Major - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 7 In C Minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 8 In A Flat Major - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 9 In E Flat Minor - Rachmaninov
10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 10 In G Flat Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 1 In C Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 2 In B Flat Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 3 In E Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 4 In E Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 5 In G Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 6 In F Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 7 In F Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 8 In A Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 9 In A Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 10 In B Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 11 In B Major - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 12 In G Sharp Minor - Rachmaninov
13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 13 In D Flat Major - Rachmaninov

Tracks:

Suite No. 1 for 2 pianos, Op. 5: I. Barcarolle: Allegretto - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 1 for 2 pianos, Op. 5: II. La Nuit, l'Amour: Adagio sostenuto - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 1 for 2 pianos, Op. 5: III. Les Larmes: Largo di molto - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 1 for 2 pianos, Op. 5: IV. Paques: Allegro maestoso - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, for 2 pianos, Op. 17: I. Introduction: Alla marcia - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, for 2 pianos, Op. 17: II. Valse: Presto - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, for 2 pianos, Op. 17: III. Romance: Andantino - Rachmaninov
Suite No. 2, for 2 pianos, Op. 17: IV. Tarantelle - Rachmaninov
Russian Rhapsody for 2 pianos in E minor: Moderato - Vivace - Andante - Rachmaninov
Variations on a theme by Corelli, Op. 42 - Rachmaninov

Tracks:

9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 1 In C minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 2 In A minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 3 In F Sharp Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 4 In B Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 5 In E Flat Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 6 In A Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 7 In C Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 8 In D Minor - S. Rachmaninoff
9 Etudes-tableaux, Op. 39: No 9 In D Major - S. Rachmaninoff
Symphonic Dances for 2 pianos, Op. 45: I. Non allegro - Lento - Tempo I - S. Rachmaninoff
Symphonic Dances for 2 pianos, Op. 45: II. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse) - S. Rachmaninoff
Symphonic Dances for 2 pianos, Op. 45: III. Lento assai - Allegro vivace - S. Rachmaninoff

Customer Reviews:

Ashkenazy - one of the best musicians of our time.......2005-11-21

I consider Ashkenazy to be one of the most underrated pianists. Since he has this unmarketable father figure image in the piano world many people put him in the backburner of their recollections. First of all, anyone with such a prolific repertoire as Ashkenazy falls under the category of "genius" (Richter was also strong in this area). A pianist, in general, has much more credibility if he/she can tackle a variety of different pieces and styles. Many people assume by default that because he splits his time conducting and plays so much different music... that he is a jack of all trades but master of none.
One of the distinct attributes that Ashkenazy has is his amazing intelligence (this links him to Richter). Unlike Gould and Poglerelich who seem eccentric in a childish way at times, Ashkenazy has a very deep understanding of music and its foundations. He understand the composers styles and dynamics. This really sets him aside from many other pianists. I was pleasantly surprised by this Rachmaninoff. It is very flowing and the orchestra is great (better than in the Richter CD in my opinion). There is a feeling that this music is always going in the right direction. Ashkenazy also doesn't fall in the trap of playing Rach Chopin-style. I like the Richter CD better because I like Richter's temperament... but this is an excellent set for those that might find Richter overwhelming.

Illustrious Dark.......2005-03-19

The pianistic genius of Rachmaninov and his spirit incarnate: Vladimir Ashkenazy. If you have ever heard Rachmaninov play his own music, you probably pondered the impressive talent. But where his personal strengths lay in composition, his performances were a little too eccentric for me. For example, his renditions of militaristic Prelude No. 5 in G minor is a soft, cautious approach; his piano concerto no. 2 played so quickly, there is no time to enjoy each note.

Enter Ashkenazy. He plays that prelude with solid force and quick, snapping fingers, and thunderous chords, climaxing into those beautiful rolling hills...it is played beautifully. And of course, the piano concerto is slowed down to the proper tempo. (Incidentally, I find this concerto has some parts that are played too quickly, thereby losing a sense of largeness to some themes. In later recordings, Jean-Yves Thibaudet performed the concerto exactly to my tastes, and the orchestra was conducted, impressively, by Mr. Ashkenazy himself!)

For the piano enthusiast, this collection is nearly complete. The first three piano concertos are amazing. I grew up with Nos. 3 and then 2, and after a decade of waiting, finally listened to No. 1, which I hold in as high esteem as the later concertos. No. 4 is extremely modern, and I listen to it to let it grow on me, but I will always have a difficult time with this one. It's simply too influenced by his short Hollywood career, I feel. While it stands on its own, compared to the previous three, I tend to skip it.

I've heard Ashkenazy's recordings of the preludes before, but it was nice to finally own them. What can one say? Rachmaninov's forte was the prelude. Nowhere else can you hear chimes and bells with dark Russian themes underlying complex chord structures that scintillate or thunder.

New to me were the two Suites for 2 pianos. While much of it is a bit modern and avant-garde for my tastes, I enjoy them all the same.

For the price, you're getting quite a bargain, though. And if you don't care about the solo piano tracks, London has another release with only the four piano concertos.

Ashkenazy's fluidity: a very good fit with Rachmaninov.......2004-12-09

This boxed set contains the four piano concertos, along with the entire library of pieces for two pianos, and a good selection of Rachmaninov's major works for solo piano.

Packaged in an elegant Decca slimbox, the 6 CDs are simply a pure joy to listen to. Ashkenazy does not delivery the wildest version of the concertos, or the most passionate or energetic. What he delivers is an incredible legato and incomparable touch, with just the right amount of power when necessary. Previn's conducting is a very good fit with Ashkenazy's sobre and elegant interpretation.

Listen to "Les Larmes" - French for "The Tears" - and appreciate Ashkenazy and Previn's rendering of one of Rachmaninov's most emotional pieces.

This boxed set is, in my opinion, the best Rachmaninov package currently available. The sound quality is very good, and it contains a large selection of piano works by one of the world's finest interpreters.

My Favorite Rachmaninov Interpreter.......2003-04-06

while i dont have this particular set, i have most of ashkanazy's recordings via other the sets hes made, im assuming these are the same recordings. these are some of my favorite piano works ive ever heard in large part due to his interpretations of this music. i beleive there isnt an interpretation that i was unhappy with, so if you want all of ashkanasy's piano recordings and piano concertos in one set this is a great buy especially for the price and ammount of music.

Superb set of Rachmaninov's complete Piano works.......2001-02-04

Ashkenazy shows that he is as much at home here as he is playing Beethoven, Chopin, or Mozart. Although these performances may lack the drama of Argerich's tempestuous playing, they are very credible interpretations of the Russian composer's piano music. His performances of the concerti with Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra are regarded as among the finest of the entire Rachmaninov cycle. And his performances with Previn on the piano are fine, even if Previn's technique takes a back seat to Ashkenazy's. Aside from the concerti, the real gems have to be Ashkenazy's brilliant performances of the etudes. They are just as refined and as soulful as his excellent recordings of the entire Beethoven piano sonata cycle. This cheap set not only is a splendid introduction to Rachmaninov, but shows Ashkenazy at his finest, playing with technical elegance and lyricism.

Rachmaninov: Complete Piano Concertos/Rhapsody

Average customer rating:

Second Concerto worth six stars: the other are worth four.
Rachmaninov, Ashkenazy and Previn Again?!

Rachmaninov: Complete Piano Concertos/Rhapsody

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Paganini: Violin Concerto No. 1; Spohr: Violin Concerto No. 8

ASIN: B000076GYF
Release Date: 2003-01-14

Customer Reviews:

Second Concerto worth six stars: the other are worth four........2006-10-28

IT is always wise to stay away from complete sets if you intend to keep only one. It is always better to take an eclectic approach. for the third, horowitz and barbirolli have one of the best in the market. ashkenazy and ormandy also present a fantastic reading, but it's harder to find. stay away from the argerich... completely overrated (i personally enjoy argerich's performances, but that one was off the mark).
the fourth is a more complicated question.. michelangeli presents us with an excellent reading, full of pathos. but rachmaninoff plays rachmaninoff on RCA has a more demonic quality to it.
the second on this set is clearly one of the best performances you'll ever hear. although ashkenazy has secured his position as a somewhat ambigious pianist by recording a vast discography and accomplishing relatively little, his rachmaninoff stands at the top of my list. the second especially, is rife of triumph and melancholy. a must for all rach lovers.

Rachmaninov, Ashkenazy and Previn Again?!.......2003-07-18

The playing on this CD is worthy of five stars, but Universal gets a one-star demerit for releasing these works too many times. If you want one CD of Ashkenazy & Previn playing a couple of Rachmaninov Piano Concertos, then you buy the Penguin Classics title. If you want two CDs of Ashkenazy & Previn playing all four Rachmaninov Piano Concertos, then you buy the Double Decker. If you want six CDs of Ashkenazy & Previn playing all four Rachmaninov Piano Concertos, plus the Paganini Rhapsody and other works for piano, then you buy the boxed set. And now, if you want Ashkenazy & Previn just playing all four Rachmaninov Piano Concertos and the Paganini Rhapsody, you can get this three disc set. Geez, there is less selection in the grocery store! Some of the Universal Trio releases have been phenomenal -- Dvorak Slavonic Dances/Symphonic Poems, Brahms Concertos/Overtures, Mendelssohn String Quartets, etc. -- but with the combined resources of so many labels surely they could have dug a little deeper into the vaults and found something else that was unreleased on CD. Or, just not bothered with this title at all.

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos no 3 and 4 / Ashkenazy, Previn (Penguin Music Classics Series)

Average customer rating:

A unique coupling and among the best.

Rachmaninov: Piano Concertos no 3 and 4 / Ashkenazy, Previn (Penguin Music Classics Series)
William Boyd
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beethoven: Moonlight, Waldstein, Appassionata / Ashkenazy (Penguin Music Classics Series)

ASIN: B00000AFQU
Release Date: 1998-09-29

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: I. Allegro ma non tanto
Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: II. Intermezzo: Adagio
Piano Concerto No. 3 In D Minor, Op. 30: III. Finale: Alla breve
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: I. Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: II. Largo
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G Minor, Op. 40: III. Allegro vivace

Amazon.com

Amidst the 20th century's most disconcerting musical developments--12-tone rows, aleatoric compositions, Cage's musical chance--Sergei Rachmaninov's effusive piano works are downright comforting. Novelist William Boyd, who writes the liner note to this reissue, remarks similarly that upon revisiting Rachmaninov's piano works, he found them so familiar as to be a bit tiresome. But Boyd discovered in coming upon Rachmaninov's first three piano concertos that his "want to be exalted and to be made melancholy" is somehow keenly matched with the music. Andre Previn's piano certainly reassures that the long-honored traditions of grand form are in good stead, what with the lush strings alternating with his own outstanding, high-temperature passion in the Allegro ma non tanto and the blasting Finale of the third concerto. Virtuosity hangs all over this music, and since it is the music of one of the concerto's most demanding piano composers, there are more bright-light moments than can be easily enumerated. Previn's up to the Rachmaninov task, weaving and bolting through the orchestra. As Boyd remarks, this is easily music for either the musician or non-musician in that it pervades the senses while throwing neurotransmitters and emotions into high gear. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

A unique coupling and among the best........2001-07-15

This recording is among the best I have heard of the 3rd and 4th Piano Concertos of Rachmaninoff. There is excitement and a great deal of listening satisfaction to be found throughout both recordings. The recording quality of the disc is very good. Research of these recordings in the literature will reinforce my enthusiasm for these recordings.

Previn and Ashkenazy are both among the greatest Rachmaninoff interpreters; you will find them both at the height of their powers in these recordings. Moreover, a disc with these two concertos is a nice coupling since usually these piano concertos are sold in a 1st-4th or 2nd-3rd configuration.

This recording of the 3rd does not surpass--though it comes very close--the Argerich recording on Philips. Nevertheless, this recording has its strong aspects as well, and this is an analogue recording (the Argerich recording is digital). As for the 4th Concerto, you will find it difficult to encounter many recordings, especially as fine as this one (though the literature does cite the 1950s Benedetti-Michelangeli as the benchmark).

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: Vivace
Piano Concerto No.1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: Andante
Piano Concerto No.1 In F Sharp Minor, Op.1: Allegro vivace
Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18: Moderato
Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18: Adagio sostenuto
Piano Concerto No.2 In C Minor, Op.18: Allegro scherzando

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: Allegro ma non tanto
Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: Intermezzo: Adagio
Piano Concerto No.3 In D Minor, Op.30: Finale: Alla breve
Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op.40: Allegro vivace: Alla breve
Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op.40: Largo
Piano Concerto No.4 In G Minor, Op.40: Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

Rachmaninov Piano Concertos: Ashkenazy/Previn/LSO.......2000-01-27

What needs to be said? Words cannot express the fire and passion with which Ashkenazy plays. The concertos heard here could only come from the fingers of a Russian pianist. I feel these are the definitive modern recordings of the four Rachmaninov piano concertos.

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