All the right notes, but little passion
Roderick Keech | Australia | 11/13/2009
(3 out of 5 stars)
"Jon Nakamatsu plays Rachmaninov's Third Piano Concerto with grace, yet with little passion, a commodity that should be inherent in any rendition of this work. There are precedents for this sort of interpretation (Rachmaninov himself), yet this recording just seems bland, despite the competency of Nakamatsu.
The orchestra also seem to be on auto-pilot, and the SACD multi-channel offers little enhancement. If this is the sort of performance of this work that you prefer, then you would be better off seeking out the Byron Janis version Rachmaninoff: Piano Concertos Nos. 2 & 3 [Hybrid SACD]. If you are after a more exciting rendition in SACD format, Arcadi Volodos' version is a treat, although like the Janis, it is in Stereo SACD only.
As this is an expensive disc, I would recommend you listen to the sound bites before purchasing."