Sergei Rachmaninoff: Preludes

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
To put it plainly, this is the finest recording of Rachmaninoff's complete Preludes I have ever heard. Alexis Weissenberg has the amazing technique and the expansive temperament to make each of these pieces a memorable experience. In these very colorful performances, he gives us very authentic- sounding Rachmaninoff with all the qualities I want to hear in the music. I may prefer some individual performances by Rachmaninoff himself or by Sviatoslav Richter, but neither recorded anything like the complete series. With the former contents of two entire LPs on this mid-priced set, this is an outstanding bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Preludes, Music, Sergey Rachmaninov, Alexis Weissenberg, Classical, Classical Music, Collection of Preludes for Keyboard, Keyboard, Prelude for Keyboard

Rachmaninoff: The Complete Preludes for Piano
Average customer rating:

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE!!!

Phenomenal

This one's a gem!!!

Rach would've loved it.....

Rachmaninoff: The Complete Preludes for Piano

Manufacturer: TB Productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
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Concertos italiens

ASIN: B000E1XP98
Release Date: 2005-12-28

Tracks:

Prelude in C# minor, op. 3 (No. 2)
Prelude in F# minor, op. 23 (No. 1)
Prelude in Bb major, op. 23 (No. 2)
Prelude in D minor, op. 23 (No. 3)
Prelude in D major, op. 23 (No. 4)
Prelude in G minor, op. 23 (No. 5)
Prelude in Eb major, op. 23 (No. 6)
Prelude in C minor, op. 23 (No. 7)
Prelude in Ab major, op. 23 (No. 8)
Prelude in Eb minor, op. 23 (No. 9)
Prelude in Gb major, op. 23 (No. 10)
Prelude in C major, op. 32 (No. 1)
Prelude in Bb minor, op. 32 (No. 2)
Prelude in E major, op. 32 (No. 3)
Prelude in E minor, op. 32 (No. 4)
Prelude in G major, op. 32 (No. 5)
Prelude in F minor, op. 32 (No. 6)
Prelude in F major, op. 32 (No. 7)
Prelude in A minor, op. 32 (No. 8)
Prelude in A major, op. 32 (No. 9)
Prelude in B minor, op. 32 (No. 10)
Prelude in B major, op. 32 (No. 11)
Prelude in G# minor, op. 32 (No. 12)
Prelude in Db major, op. 32 (No. 13)

Product Description

Rachmaninoff turned to the piano prelude as a genre early on in his life. In 1892, the 19-year-old musician penned Prelude in C♯ minor, op. 3 (N 2), which to this day remains one of his most recognizable compositions. The first cycle comprised of ten preludes (opus 23) came about gradually. A few initial outlines appeared as early as 1899. Around 1901, Rachmaninoff had completed Prelude in G minora grotesque, eerie, dreamlike march, with a lyrical theme of astonishing beauty. When and where the remaining pieces of the first cycle were exactly composed is unknown. What is certain, however, is that the entire cycle was completed by early 1903. The composer did not revisit the genre until seven years later, when he was residing at his country estate in central Russia. There, in an astonishingly brief period, he composed all of the 13 preludes comprising opus 32. The literal and figurative closure of the tonal circle now took place, and a new, monumental work of immense power and depth entered the piano repertoire of the 20th century. Rachmaninoff was always in awe of nature and of life around him. The plethora of sounds he found there fed his creative genius and, in turn, his art. Indeed, the initial theme introduced in his Prelude in G major, op. 32 (N 5), which is primarily conversational in nature, eventually escapes and soars upward, becoming a delicate, tremolo-rich interplay of sounds, among which one can hear a bird song, a water stream trickling, a sudden gust of the wind. The emotional world of Rachmaninoffs preludes is complexelegiac, tragic or idyllic can all appropriately describe itbut its inner harmony is invariably all-encompassing and complete, on par with the rest of the art of this great master. Viacheslav Kartsovnik, University of Hamburg

Customer Reviews:

IMPRESSIVE PERFORMANCE!!!.......2007-04-29

THIS IS PROBABLY THE BEST SINGLE CD WITH ALL OF THE PRELUDES ON IT. LOVE IT!!! THE MUSIC IS SPECTACULAR, PERFORMANCE IS EXCITING AND TECHNICALLY BREATHTAKING AND EVEN FLAWLESS!!! REAL NICE, CLEAN, MODERN RECORDING, VERY NICE PACKAGING ON TOP OF ALL THAT. IF YOU LIKE RAKHMANINOV OR PIANO IN GENERAL, YOU GOTTA LISTEN TO THIS.......

Phenomenal.......2006-07-15

Alexander Budyonny is one of the best I've had the pleasure of listing to. I wholeheartedly recommend this CD.

This one's a gem!!!.......2006-03-10

I just bought this CD, listened to it about five times in the past two days, and it's just stunning. Of all the solo piano recordings I own (and I have about 280+ CDs), this one is definitely one of my favorites. First of all, it is difficult to find a recording that has all the 24 preludes. But it is even harder to find all preludes recorded with such breathtaking bravado. Every single prelude on this disc is played with a remarkable attention to detail, opulent tone, and when necessary, impressive tempo. To be honest, Budyonny's technique is beyond excellent. But what is truly fascinating about this recording is that somehow, Budyonny communicates the spirit of Rachmaninoff's dazzling, Russian character. Speaking as an amateur pianist, I know that that is the hardest thing to do. That is precisely where we draw a line between a really good performance and a great one.

Rach would've loved it............2006-01-05

Not too many Rachmaninov's preludes recorded from beginning to end out there, but this one is powerful.

As my point of departure, I have Weissenberg and Shelley. I like both, but all things being equal this one is my favorite because there is so much sheer force and excitement here, coupled wiht outstanding sound quality.

On my first listen, this album sounded like it was done by someone who speaks and breathes and feels the musical language of Rachmaninov. It almost has a live quality to it. This is hardly surprising as both Weissenberg and Shelley were not from Russia to begin with (Weissenberg was Bulgarian and Shelley came from UK), but that's exactly what makes the whole experience interesting. If you sit and listen and compare, a few preludes are played a bit faster by Weissenberg, and some are played faster by Budyonny, and that's fine depending on your preference of course, however there is a peculiar type of innate understanding and power that is felt in this recording. If you are a pianist, well, you have a great deal to absorb from this one. And if not, you will still have a great deal to absorb, and you might even enjoy it! The music here speaks wonders.

There are also a few preludes recorded separately that are pretty interesting renditions worth considering for the sake of comparison (by Vladimir Horowitz or even a few by Rachmaninov himself), but in terms of getting the whole thing on one disc, this cd is a pretty good if not definitive musical statement.

I wish more of budonny's stuff became more commercially available. Very, very enjoyable.

Average customer rating:

Astonishing performance
Arriving at the Summit
Intellectual control and power
Superb performances, best available.
EXALTATION

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Preludes

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | 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
ASIN: B000003F29
Release Date: 1990-12-10

Tracks:

Prld, Op.3, No.2 in c#
Prld, Op.23: No.1: f#
Prld, Op.23: No.2: B-Flat
Prld, Op.23: No.3: d
Prld, Op.23: No.4: D
Prld, Op.23: No.5: g
Prld, Op.23: No.6: E-Flat
Prld, Op.23: No.7: c
Prld, Op.23: No.8: A-Flat
Prld, Op.23: No.9: e-Flat
Prld, Op.23: No.10: G-Flat
Prld, Op.32: No.1: C
Prld, Op.32: No.2: b-Flat
Prld, Op.32: No.3: E
Prld, Op.32: No.4: e
Prld, Op.32: No.5: G
Prld, Op.32: No.6: f
Prld, Op.32: No.7: F
Prld, Op.32: No.8: a
Prld, Op.32: No.9: A
Prld, Op.32: No.10: b
Prld, Op.32: No.11: B
Prld, Op.32: No.12: g#
Prld, Op.32: No.13: D-Flat

Amazon.com

To put it plainly, this is the finest recording of Rachmaninoff's complete Preludes I have ever heard. Alexis Weissenberg has the amazing technique and the expansive temperament to make each of these pieces a memorable experience. In these very colorful performances, he gives us very authentic- sounding Rachmaninoff with all the qualities I want to hear in the music. I may prefer some individual performances by Rachmaninoff himself or by Sviatoslav Richter, but neither recorded anything like the complete series. With the former contents of two entire LPs on this mid-priced set, this is an outstanding bargain. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Astonishing performance.......2004-10-28

There are a few recordings, rare gems, that stand head and shoulders above the rest and this is one of them. It deserves to be heard more widely.

Rachmaninoff wrote the preludes in three sets. The first (Op. 3, No. 2) when he was only 19 years old and the other two sets more than 10 years later. Each prelude is written in a different key, just as Chopin did with his preludes.

Weissenberg states in the liner notes that a great performance should sound spontaneous, as if the performer sat down and the music just poured out. In this recording, at least, he accomplishes that goal. His rendition of the famous Opus 3, No. 2 Prelude is astonishing and by far the best I've heard. It is rich, complex, fiery, and seems to leap from Weissenberg's hands as if he is channeling Rachmaninoff himself.

Several of the preludes, such as Opus 23, Nos. 1 and 2 sound very much like Chopin, whom Rachmaninoff admired. Overall, the Opus 23 preludes are more engaging while the Opus 32 preludes are darker and more complex. My favorites are Opus 3, No.2 and Opus 23 Nos. 3 and 5.

Arriving at the Summit.......2003-10-14

It is really difficult to begin praise for his exalted work of art. The clarity, tone, phrasing, interpretation...flawless. Technical problems seemed to have vanished in the hands of this genius. I listened to some selections several times WITH the musical score, not believeing that human hands had created such sonority.

While the Preludes are not as technically difficult or as artistically challenging as the Etude-Tableaux, they are still only for advanced students of the instrument. One problem faced by all interpreters of Rachmaninoff's piano music is that of technical prowess. What seemed easy or "doable" to him was absolutely impossible for others. For this reason he rewrote the second Sonata so as to make an "easier" version accessible to a wider audience.

These pieces cover a range of emotions but have several common characterists - an overall moodiness (Rachmaninoff excelled in the minor keys which he deemed richer), internal rhythms and melodies, an awesome technique and melodic poetry. Many could be cited as "great" but No. 8 (C Minor), No 10 (E Flat Minor), No. 21 (B Minor) and the last, 24. (D Flat Major) stand out, particularly the last which reminds one of a mighty hymn.

Intellectual control and power.......2003-01-22

This is an astounding set of preludes. Right from the start Weissenberg's intelligence in crafting the central climaxes of the preludes is clear, and his ability to shape each one so it seems like a lucid whole is marvelous and extremely satisfying. The other reviewers are spot-on: this is a concert-hall performance of electrifying pianism. Op 32/4, 10 and 13 are given overwhelming readings, as well as op23/2 which presents a good illustration of Weissenberg's superior pianism, whether it be in the stormy outer sections or the lyrical central one, all of it is played with consummate mastery of the piano.
The slower preludes may receive more expansive readings elsewhere, but as a whole this cycle is hors concours for its magnetism and tasteful speed.

Superb performances, best available........2002-07-22

Alexis Weissenberg is a superb pianist -- quite possibly the greatest pianist of the recorded era. It is difficult for me to understand why he has never received the accolades accorded to, say, Horowitz. Although Weissenberg's technique is astounding, it is always used not for show but in support of his incredible artistry. His performances of the Rachmaninov Preludes are quite simply awesome -- covering the full range from gently lyrical to stormingly exhuberent, depending upon what is appropriate for the music. You will probably never hear a finer performance of this music -- or finer piano playing in any reperoire.

EXALTATION.......2001-09-24

A magnificent experience. The controlled violence of these performances is viscerally - and spiritually - exultant. The music speaks directly, with harrowing emotional impact.

Tracks:

Bach: Three Movements from Violin Partita in E Major (transcribed by Rachmaninoff)
Ten Preludes, Op. 23
Three "Etudes-Tableaux"

Customer Reviews:

Rach and Bach, together at last, Moyer is exquisite.......2005-10-22

I am a fan of Rachmaninoff's compositions (after all, I've played piano for 44 years...long enough to learn what good is, I guess.) And I equally adore Bach. The superlative pianist that he was, Rachmaninoff transcribed Bach's violin partita in E major for the piano, his way. Meaning rich layers of sound, deep octave spans and glittering arrangements of this wonderful work. Naturally, such a work would require a pianist of equal skill to Rachmaninoff or close enough to do justice to this wonderful transcription. Frederick Moyer does more than justice here. The sound is crisp yet fluid, light, yet deep and sonorous--but just enough. None of that "I'm all about technique and not about the music" here.

Moyer has been rather breathlessly compared by one critic to (whisper it) Vladimir Horowitz. Is that hyperbole or out-and-out insolence? I am inclined to say this is close, very close, to the style of Horowitz, indeed. This CD shows a pianist with huge talent and feeling for this most romantic of piano composers. The 10 Preludes (which follow the partita of Bach) are played in a Chopin-like, meditative way, showing all the moods. The B-flat Major Prelude, in particular, is played with a moderate tempo rather than a hysterical speed as is sometimes heard. The oceanic quality of this work is evident; it's as if you could literally see rolling waves and moonlight glittering on the sea at night. I know this work well, yet it as if I were hearing--and seeing it for the first time.

I was interested to see how Moyer handled the G minor (a work I studied in college.) It's sometimes played like a military prelude, sometimes like a Spanish dance. Moyer takes the Spanish viewpoint. This is clear in the rhythm of the main theme (flamenco like) and even more so in the arpeggios of the mid section, a delicate and mysterious serenade. No heaviness or showiness here. This work has a clear "high point"; this is a feature Rachmaninoff claimed was to be found in any interpretation of any piece of music. Here, the high point is played almost softly--barely grazing the top. You have to listen for it. It's a bit daring but it works.

The CD ends with three of the Etudes-Tableaux (Op 39, 3,6 and 9) and I only wish a second CD were here to include the entire work.

Recommendation: ABSOLUTELY a must for any classical piano CD library.

Highly recommended!.......2004-10-08

I own several CDs of Rachmaninoff solo piano works recorded by various performers. This is one of the two that I listen to most often. I originally purchased it because it contains a fabulous performance of Rach's: Transcription for piano of Bach's "Prelude, gavotte & gigue", from Partita in E major, TN iii/1. This prelude one of my 5 favorite pieces of classical music and my collection contains recordings of few different arrangements of this piece, including an orchestral version by Ormandy that gives me the chills every time I hear it. I never thought that any single instrument version could compete, but this particular performance really has what it takes. Delightful!

As for these Preludes, it never ceases to amaze me how a familiar piece of music can sound so different in the hands of various artists. Moyer gives excellent performances of these and upon my first listen, I was surprised at the number of notes I've not heard in other artists' recordings of these Preludes due to overdramatic, sloppy playing on their part. Op 23 No. 2 and No. 5 sound so disciplined and clean and yet do not lose any of their emotional appeal. I also particularly like Moyer's performance of Etude No.9 for much the same reason. This CD is proof that clean and disciplined do not have to mean "sterile." What a refreshing performance!

A beautiful sampling of Rachmaninoff.......2001-08-27

Prior to obtaining this recording, I already had recordings of the Complete Preludes by Alexis Weissenberg and Constance Keene. Each of these recordings has individual pieces that are special for me, but Mr. Moyer's recording is the one I reach for most often. Mr. Moyer offers the Opus 23 preludes and a well-chosen set of other pieces. We are given Rachmaninoff's transcription of Bach's Violin Partita in E Major and some beautiful Etude-Tableaux. The preludes are played thoughtfully and lovingly, with plenty of power in reserve for when its needed (as in Opus 23 no. 2). His performance of Prelude Op. 23 No. 4 opened my ears to the beauty of that prelude -- I had never really heard it until I heard his recording. Since then, I've heard others that are also beautiful in the same way (Cliburn and Richter, most notably). There are huge differences between the way Moyer and Weissenberg play (compare Opus 23 no. 7, for example), but Moyer doesn't suffer from the comparison. He takes a different approach -- less muscular, a rounder and warmer tone, but he obviously loves this music and the listener comes away loving it with him. The only other recording I have of the Bach transcription is Jorge Bolet's from the Great Pianist Series (and that only has the preludio), and I prefer Moyer's recording. Rachmaninoff's transcription reflects his abiding respect for Bach. The temptation might be to play this piece as a virtuoso Rachmaninoff piece. Moyer lets it sound like Bach, complete with the beautiful counterpoint and exalted climaxes. The selection of Etudes-Tableaux are particularly attractive. My own favorite, Opus 39 No. 6, the "Little Red Riding Hood" one, is so evocative of the story, complete with the chase scenes. The stereo acoustic is warm and resonant, lacking some of the brilliance found on some of the premier labels, but the warmth of his acoustic seems to work toward his overall musical goal. This is an excellent single CD to introduce one to the beauty of Rachmaninoff's music. I urge you to get it.

Average customer rating:

13 Preludes, Op. 32
Kenneth Saxon; piano
Manufacturer: Plum Cds
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000NO3906
Release Date: 2005-11-16

Tracks:

Allegro vivace
Allegretto
Allegro vivace
Allegro con brio
Moderato
Allegro appassionato
Moderato
Vivo
Allegro moderato
Lento
Allegretto
Allegro
Grave

Product Description

The 13 Preludes, Op. 32 (1910), complete a cycle of 24 preludes in all keys that Sergei Rachmaninoff began with his famous Prelude in C-sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2 (1892). With Op. 32, Rachmaninoff's piano writing acquired a more intimate and motivically concise style that is less obviously virtuosic than the 11 Preludes, Op. 23 (1903-4). Commentators of Rachmaninoff's piano music frequently note Rachmaninoff's indebtedness to the orchestral breadth of Franz Liszt's piano writing and the freely contrapuntal approach of Frédéric Chopin, but perhaps much of Rachmaninoff's style in Op. 32 may be traced to the aphoristic works of Robert Schumann, whose Carnaval Rachmaninoff performed with such magisterial pianism and musicianship. Schumann seems particularly present in the tenacious emphasis on polyphony and the unique, yet strangely idiomatic layout of the piano writing. Regardless of his influences, Rachmaninoff here produced some of his richest piano writing, taking complete advantage of every aspect of the powerful yet singing quality of the piano in the early 20th century. Though there are formidable difficulties for the pianist, the Op. 32 Preludes contain few measures of traditional virtuoso elements such as octave passages, brilliant scales and thorny double notes. In these works virtuosity is united with an uncompromised musical goal, the realization of music whose great lyrical and harmonic variety is only seemingly obscured by its dense and opaque presentation on the page. In capable hands, the music reveals a rich tapestry of texture and polyphony that is ultimately marked by clarity and color in a true marriage of musicianship and technique. These preludes reward the pianist's labor with some of the most gratifying piano music ever composed. They reward the listener with an experience that is only enhanced by repeated hearings. Kenneth Saxon

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

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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
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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).

Average customer rating:

Words cannot explain how great his playing is!
Buy it if you like Rachmaninov (which you should)
A Mild Disagreement
An Essential Recording
Overall, a satisfying set!

Sergei Rachmaninoff

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | 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

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Wilhelm Kempff 2
Maurizio Pollini I (Great Pianists of the Century) - Chopin / Debussy / Liszt / Schumann / Stravinsky / Webern (2 CDs)
Emil Gilels 3 (III) (Great Pianists of the Century series) - Brahms / Chopin / Clementi / Grieg / Schubert / Schumann (2 CDs)
Vladimir Sofronitsky
Andre Previn: Great Pianists Of The 20th Century (Music Of Mozart, Poulenc, Shostakovich, Gershwin)

ASIN: B00000DI3E
Release Date: 1998-11-10

Tracks:

Theme & Variations 1-14, 19-28, 31 & 32: Variations In C Minor, WoO 80 (Excerpts)
Ballade No.3 In A Flat, Op.47
Scherzo No.3 In C Sharp Minor, Op.39
Waltz No. 7 In C Sharp Minor, Op.64 No.2
Waltz No. 8 In A Flat, Op.64 No.3
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35 'Funeral March': 1 Grave. Doppio movimento
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35 'Funeral March': 2 Scherzo - Piu lento - Tempo I
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35 'Funeral March': 3 March funebre. Lento
Piano Sonata No.2 In B Flat Minor, Op.35 'Funeral March': 4 Finale. Presto
Carnaval, Op.9: 1 Preambule
Carnaval, Op.9: 2 Pierrot
Carnaval, Op.9: 3 Arlequin
Carnaval, Op.9: 4 Valse noble
Carnaval, Op.9: 5 Eusebius
Carnaval, Op.9: 6 Florestan
Carnaval, Op.9: 7 Coquette
Carnaval, Op.9: 8a Replique
Carnaval, Op.9: 8b Sphinxes
Carnaval, Op.9: 9 Papillons
Carnaval, Op.9: 10 A.S.C.H.-S.C.H.A. (Lettres dansantes)
Carnaval, Op.9: 11 Chiarina
Carnaval, Op.9: 12 Chopin
Carnaval, Op.9: 13 Estrella
Carnaval, Op.9: 14 Reconnaissance
Carnaval, Op.9: 15 Pantalon e Colombine
Carnaval, Op.9: 16a Valse Allamande
Carnaval, Op.9: 16b Intermezzo: Paganini - Valse allemande (reprise)
Carnaval, Op.9: 17 Aveu
Carnaval, Op.9: 18 Promenade
Carnaval, Op.9: 19 Pause
Carnaval, Op.9: 20 Marche des 'Davidsbundler' contre les Philistins
Chants polonais de Frederic Chopin, S.480: 1 The Maiden's Wish
Chants polonais de Frederic Chopin, S.480: 6 Return Home

Tracks:

Violin Partita No.3 In E, BWV 1006: Preludio
Violin Partita No.3 In E, BWV 1006: Gavotte
Violin Partita No.3 In E, BWV 1006: Gigue
Flight Of The Bumble-bee
Scherzo From 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
Man lebt nur einmal (Valse caprice, Op.167 No.2)
Lullaby, Op.16 No.1
Novembre: Troika (From 'Les saisons,' Op.37b)
Rachmaninoff: Polka de V.R.
Prelude In C Sharp Minor, Op. No.2
Melody In E, Op.3 No.3
Humoresque In G, Op.10 No.5
Moment Musical In E Flat Minor, Op.16 No.2
Prelude In G Flat, Op.23 No.10
Prelude In E, Op.32 No.3
Prelude In F Minor, Op.32 No.6
Prelude In F, Op.32 No.7
Etude -Tableau In C, Op.33 No.2
Etude - Tableau In E Flat, Op.33 No.7
Daisies, Op.38 No.3
Oriental Sketch
Liebesleid
Liebesfreud

Amazon.com

The commercial success of the Rachmaninoff disc A Window in Time defied the odds and became a chart topper: here were recordings not of the great pianist-composer but of his piano rolls. Only problem: they were just piano rolls. By contrast, these discs (part of Philips's comprehensive Great Pianists series) offer an affordable chance to hear the real Rach in action, and they're not to be missed. The composer's big hands tackle Chopin's Funeral March Sonata with a sobering grace and power that still sound timeless. Schumann's Carnival, despite low fidelity, is breathtaking in Rachmaninoff's colorful hands. Hearing the composer play his own works on disc 2 is a revelation: his style is neither flashy nor subdued. Oriental Sketch is expressive and rollicking but never overdone. The sound quality on these recordings ranges from fair to good (surface noise is always apparent), but to fans of Rachmaninoff (and great piano playing), a little hiss can be easily ignored. These recordings have a ton of character and life. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Words cannot explain how great his playing is!.......2004-01-01

It would be worth creating a time machine just to go see Rachmaninoff play! The playing on this set is truly spectacular. I had the same problem as the earlier reviewer, I regretted buying this CD because I could have bought his complete recording from RCA. Nevertheless, this is still an excellent sample of the playing of one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century. It's a shame that Rachmaninoff didn't record any other large-scaled works other than the Chopin Funeral March Sonata and the Schumann Carnaval.

The recording of the Chopin Sonata is my favorite favorite recording along with the Horowitz recording on Sony. The Schumann Carnaval is my absolute favorite of this work, there is no comparison!
All the other smaller pieces on this set are played to perfection. The Chopin ballade and scherzo are beautifully played. It's a joy to hear some of these transcriptions played, some of them are neglected these days. Everyone interested in Rachmaninoff should own recordings of him playing his own music, the selections here are wonderful.
The sound quality is obviously nothing near todays standards, and understandably so considering the recording dates range from 1921-1942.

Overall this set his HIGHLY recommended, if you wouldn't be bothered by the poor sound quality. Rachmaninoff's playing has what many pianists today lack, which is individuality and imagination.

Buy it if you like Rachmaninov (which you should).......2001-07-07

Rachmaninov is one of the very greatest piano artists of the twentieth century. He was a complete piano artist, rather than a specialist, in the sense that he was both a piano composer and a piano virtuoso. Any serious piano collection is not complete without some Rachmaninov recordings. The only reason I regret buying the present disk is because now I prefer to buy the complete recordings of Rachmaninov, which subsumes this disk. The highlights of the present disk in my mind is (1) the Chopin funeral march sonata, (2) the Schumann "Carnaval", and (3) Rachmaninov's performances of his own compositions. The best recordings of the chopin sonata in my mind are the present recording, recordings by Cortot, and more recently, by Pollini and Ashkenazy. The best recordings in my mind of "Carnaval" are the present recording, and again Cortot's rendition. There aren't many comparable modern recordings of "Carnaval", which is disappointing since this is such an incredible piece. Of course there are many outstanding performances of Rachmaninov's compositions, my favorite being Richter; but of course anyone seriously interested in Rachmaninov's piano compositions will be very interested in hearing the composer perform his own works. An outstanding, albeit dated, set of recordings.

A Mild Disagreement.......2000-12-30

I just want to enter my mild disagreement with the "Music Fan from Pittsburgh", whose less than total endorsement of this recording might put off some folks, even though the reviewer did recommend it. These performances of Carnaval and the Chopin Sonata are two of the most astonishing piano performances I have ever heard, and I've been a student of the piano and pianists for well over 50 years now. Yes, Rubinstein's Scherzi are also essential; I'm not so sure about Pollini's Sonata (fabulous pianism that just leaves me cold). Rachmaninoff is in that rarified category of the 5 or 10 greatest pianists of the 20th century, and like each of them, he was absolutely unique. Anyone who wants to collect the work of the greatest pianists needs to have every note that Rachmaninoff recorded.

An Essential Recording.......2000-09-04

It depends on what you want. If I wasn't a collector of piano works in particular, I would look elsewhere for the particular pieces on this disk. In particular, I'd choose Rubinstein for Chopin's Scherzi and Ballade and Pollini for the Chopin Sonata. The main reason is the sound quality on this disk is inferior to other first rate recordings. On the other hand, if you are a collector to some degree, this disk really is essential. The choice of pieces is wonderful. The Chopin, Beethoven, Schumann, and Liszt and all very wonderful pieces, and indeed the playing is more than first rate. Not to mention the interest of hearing Rachmaninov playing his own works. I enjoy listening to this cd despite the sound quality, and as long as you aren't looking for exactly the best recordings of these particular pieces, I'd suggest you put it on your buying list.

Overall, a satisfying set!.......2000-07-28

I subtracted one star for sound quality. In spite of that, this is a wonderful set. No one will ever replace Rachmaninoff: his distinctive, top-notch pianism and his mostly-melancholy compostition genius.