Search - Kent, Viardo, Handley :: Rachmaninoff: Great Symphonies and Piano Concertos

Buy this collection for the Rachmaninoff 3rd concerto

Robert L. Berkowitz | Natick, MA United States | 01/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a two-disc compilation that includes the entire 2nd symphony and the two great piano concertos (nos. 2 and 3). In addition a 3rd sampler CD is offered to expose the listener to other available recordings on the Borders series of compilations.



I will not comment on the recording of the symphony, except to say that I generally enjoy Vernon Handley's approach to romantic music, especially evident in his treatment of Vaughan Williams' large scale or symphonic works. He would seem to be an outstanding choice for this compilation.



The recording of the 2nd concerto features Garrison Kent at the piano and an unknown conductor leading the London Symphony. The recording is clearly dated. Kent is a competent artist and there are some nice touches, but this recording isn't the reason to buy this compilation.



The 3rd concerto is the reason to buy this 2-CD set. I reviewed this recording of the Rachmaninoff 3rd elsewhere on this website, and that incarnation of this recording is no longer available. Vladimir Viardo's recording of the Rachmaninoff 3rd piano concerto is my current favorite in my collection that includes such luminaries as Argerich, Ashkenazy, Bolet, Bronfman, Cliburn, Cherkassky, Gavrilov, Gieseking, Gilels, Horowitz, Janis, de Larrocha, Mogilevsky, Santiago Rodriguez, Vasary, Volodos and others. I mention some of these artists because their recordings have received rave reviews from such well known sources as the Penguin Guide (Argerich and Rodriguez) while others are well established giants through their many years of availability (Ashkenazy, Cliburn, Gilels, Horowitz, etc.). Although there are always good reasons to listen to these other performances, this recording by Viardo is the one I turn to in order to experience what I feel is the essence of Rach 3.



This disc is one of those rare situations in which a recording chosen for a budget compilation turns out to be especially noteworthy. I'm very glad this recording has found its way back into the catalog.



I would pay this price if the Rach 3 was the only recording on this disc."