Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Sergey Rachmaninov, Kent Nagano :: Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2
Sergey Prokofiev, Sergey Rachmaninov, Kent Nagano
Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No. 2
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (7) - Disc #1


     
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CD Reviews

A Spoiled Rachmaninov but Great Prokofiev
D. A Wend | Buffalo Grove, IL USA | 09/23/2002
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I am a fan of Shura Cherkassky, and so it was with great anticipation that I bought this recording. I think Mr. Cherkassky plays the Rachmaninov Third beautifully (my wife thinks otherwise) and he is supported well enough by the BBC Symphony Orchestra under Rudolf Schwartz. This recording is from the 1950's and the sound is good. However, the last bars of the third movement are spoiled when Mr. Cherkassky gets ahead of the orchestra so the finish of the concerto is hardly clean. At the time critics were not very impressed with Mr. Cherkassky's performance and blamed him for the poor mistake. In spite of this, this disc was issued because Mr. Cherkassy's playing, up to that point, is quite beautiful.



The Prokofiev Second is the redeeming factor for this disc. It is well played by both Mr. Cherkassky and the orchestra under Kent Nagano. Comparing this recording to the one made by Valery Gergiev and the Kirov, it is a bit slower. However, Shura Cherkassky was in his 80's and is surprisingly nibble-fingered for such a difficult piece. For the Rachmaninov, this not a recording I would listen to on a regular basis but the Prokofiev is magnificent and a recording for which Mr. Cherkassky can be proud."
Spontaneity in the Rachmaninoff 3rd
D. Parrett | 02/06/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)

"When Rachmaninoff 3rd concerto interpretations become predictable, this one will be enjoyed. My favorite recording of this concerto is Horowitz and Barbirolli's breathtakingly focused and violent account in 1941. This is the exact opposite.



In this live performance, creativity and confusion ensues, especially at the very end (where it gets downright embarrasing). This is probably not for first time listeners of this great concerto. The sound is a bit dated (recorded in 1957) and the structure of the work is the last thing Cherkassky was trying to emphasize.



Overall, a recommended recording for those who already know this work. Classic recordings of the Rachmaninoff 3rd include: Horowitz and Reiner in 1951, Cliburn and Kondrashin in 1958. More recent (good) recordings include Nakamatsu and Seaman in 2000, and Volodos and Levine in 2000."