Search - Rachmaninoff, Lugansky :: Etudes Tableaux

The Inner Spirit of Rachmaninov

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nikolai Lugansky, once met through recordings or performance, is an electric personality and an exciting, handsome performer. He has the Russian Spirit that enhances the repertoire closest to him and that 'soulful' energy serves him well on this splendid recording of the Rachmaninov two sets of Études-Tableaux, Opus 33 and Opus 39.



Each of these sets contains nine pieces that manage to cover the gamut of pianistic expression, reminding us that Rachmaninov was a popular concert pianist in this country before his death. Lugansky tackles the both the breakneck speed where required and the lingering liquid angst of the slow etudes. His technique is sparkling and his ability to carry Rachmaninov's 'heart on the sleeve' romanticism with respect makes him rather unique.



This is a fine recording in all ways - interpretively and in production values. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05"

Magnificant Rachmaninoff

A. J. Mardinly | Saratoga, CA | 06/25/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first became aware of Nikolai Lugansky on You Tube, where his videos received great acclaim. I have been a Rachmaninoff fanatic for nearly half a century, and I can say that his incredible performances were what motivated me to purchase this CD. I fell in love with this CD immediately, and it quickly made its way to my desert island short list. When installed on my MP3 player, it got repeated at least 50 times (with nothing else played) when I used it in the gym. This is just one of the greatest performances of the Etudes Tableau ever. Period. I was a long-time Horowitz fanatic, but now I cringe when I listen to the Horowitz recordings because Lugansky is so much better. Not only is Lugansky just perfect technically, but his musicality and "Russian-ness" just sweep me away. Opus 33#5 is relatively slow and somber, but Lugansky infuses it with such intensity it makes fell like I am in Saint Petersburg. That is one track I just listened to over and over again. I think that one track alone justifies purchasing the CD. Opus 39#1 also just blows me away. It is as if Rachmaninoff and Lugansky capture all of the agony of the Russian people from the Bolsheviks through the Stalin era all in one piece. Horowitz misses half the notes, while Lugansky makes the technical part seem a non-issue and concentrates on just the music, which is magnificent. Just buy this disk. It is one of the greatest Rachmaninoff recordings ever. There is another bonus-Lugansky wrote the program notes, and they are both scholarly illuminating and compassionate. Amazingly, he did all this at the age of 20! I would give it 10 stars if I could."