Search - Sergei Rachmaninov, Alexis Weissenberg :: Rachmaninov: Piano Sonatas No. 1 & No. 2 [Deutsche Grammophon]

The Best Complete Rachmaninov Piano Sonata Recording

Stan | Berkeley, CA USA | 06/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the best complete Rachmaninov Piano Sonata recording I have ever heard. Yes, the tempo is really fast. But Weissenberg makes it works. For example, the second movement of the Second Sonata is played faster than all other recordings I have listened to (and I've listened to a lot over the years). But Weissenberg convincingly makes the movement sound right by his natural calm touch. The result is that both sonatas is more exciting than all versions that I have ever heard of. I also like the Howard Shelley set but Weissenberg is a bit more exciting and a little less banging (might be because of DG's good recording techniques compared to Hyperion's). Weissenberg's fortissimos are full and rich but never banging. His pianissimos are soft as feathers. The only complaint I have on Weissenberg's interpretation is that his bringing out of the melody could be more. But it doesn't bother me. This recording is a lot more exciting and tasty than all other complete recordings of the Rachmaninov Piano Sonatas. Highly recommend."