Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Sakari Oramo, City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra :: Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Variations on a Theme of Corelli; Variations on a Theme of Chopin

Lugansky favors a nimble, supple approach rather than a flashy bombastic style, although in the climaxes of all three works there's a steely-fingered assertiveness that reminds us of his status as a Prokofiev interpreter. Here he plays all three of Rachmaninov's piano works structured as "variations on a theme," the most famous, of course, being the composer's ever-popular Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, where he's joined by conductor Sakari Oramo and the fine Birmingham band. Despite the recorded competition, Lugansky is worth hearing for his individual approach, at times recalling Prokofiev's piano concertos, and in slow sections like the sumptuously haunting 16th and 17th variations, adopting a leaner version of poetic Romanticism. The Corelli Variations offer similarly strong contrasts; witness the slow, stately statement of the Andante opening and the thrusting, light touch in the fleet fifth Variation. In the Chopin Variations the slow early ones are ruminative, the faster ones feature fleet-fingered buoyancy that brings remarkable clarity to the runs of the 10th variation. An interesting program, worth hearing even for those who think they're tired of the familiar Paganini piece. --Dan Davis