Customer Review(s)
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Summary: Rachmaninov By Rachmaninov
Comment: I had the RCA LP versions of these recordings by Rachmaninov that were issued during his centennial in 1973. The quality of the CD versions is an improvement but one must remember that these are mono recordings (from the 1920's, 30's and 40's) made before the existence of tape so they cannot be judged against today's digital discs. These are, and remain, valuable as definitive readings by the composer. The ear will adjust to the sound quality in any case, and having quite a few older recordings in my collection I can say that these are remarkably clear.
Throughout all of these recordings the brilliance of Rachmaninov's playing shines. I doubt that any better recording of the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini exists (who can forget the wonderful playing of the memorable Variation 18) and the Second Concerto is beautifully played with each phrase flowing into the next and the middle movement played with great affection. In the case of the Fourth Concerto, Rachmaninov made some additions to the orchestration that was most recently used by Stephen Hough and Andrew Litton for their recordings of the concertos. It was the recording of the Fourth by Rachmaninov and Ormandy that let Andrew Litton to restore these additions for his own recording.
Certainly, this set of the concerti should sit beside more modern recordings in one's collection. There may be Rachmaniov concerti recordings with better sound but they are, arguably, not better played.
