Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

[Richard Tarleton]

Margrit Weber and Ferenc Fricsay perhaps. They treat the work seriously.

What does this mean exactly, Alain? Who doesn't? It's a formidible technical challenge, hard not to do so I'd have thought

[Richard Tarleton]

I've voiced my discontent with DON many times before on the Forum, so I gave the link to the whole transcript in order that anyone so interested can decide for themselves whether they find his approach more sympathetic than I do.

Yes, I agree with Barbs that this sums up the DON approach - and I was referring to DON, not RT when I remarked that it was "telling". Frequently, it's the "asides" of his reviews that stick in the mind rather than the "most important" point of which recording he is recommending. ("Most important", in that that's the purpose of the programme - to guide listeners to a recording to include in their collection. His comments on the structure of the work - whilst perfectly sound in a Discovering Music presentation - aren't really the most important thing to take away from a BaL - even if they make clear the criteria behind his final choice.)

All is clear ('phew ) - I see what you mean.

[Barbirollians]

I note from Presto’s listings they have at least 14 other recordings by women of the Rhapsody in addition to the three mentioned by DON if the Weber was his third.

Many are recent such as Yuja Wang but some clearly predate his BAL like Idil Biret and Cecile Licad with Abbado.

[Alain Maréchal]

What does this mean exactly, Alain? Who doesn't? It's a formidible technical challenge, hard not to do so I'd have thought

What it means is that neither Weber nor Fricsay treat it at as a vehicle for a pianist to show off the technique, but as a serious work that deserves to be played as such. I think of one technically very proficient pianist (mentioned in an earlier post, and whose work I admired greatly) who treated it as an opportunity solely for display.

[pastoralguy]

One of my favourite works for piano and orchestra as well as being one of the few works I can remember hearing in concert for the first time. (An SNO Prom concert in 1978 with Christopher Seaman conducting. The soloist was the lovely Christina Ortiz who, as an impressionable 14 year old, I promptly fell in love with!

I remember the big tune being announced and thinking 'Ah, so THAT'S what that is! I bought a CfP record the next day but I really can't remember who the soloist was. I've never really had a version I DON'T like.

It's a work I've often played over the years and it's great fun to perform.

[richardfinegold]

I can cope - and it's still my favourite

Wild/RPO/Horenstein if Stereo is a must; Trifonov/Philadelphia/Nézet-Séguin if digital.

I don’t know if you have heard any recent remasterings, Barbs, but the Rachmaninov performances sound pretty darn good.
I also really like the Wild/Horenstein set, which has an energy that most sets lack.
Regarding that Rubinstein collection mentioned in OP, I picked up that a few months ago and it is an amazing bargain. I also love the Beethoven PC set with Wallenstein in the Living Stereo, Vol. II collection

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I also really like the Wild/Horenstein set, which has an energy that most sets lack.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I bought a CfP record the next day but I really can't remember who the soloist was.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LP-RACHMANINOV-Rhapsody-on-a-theme-of-Paganini-CFP40267-/160938671578

[Alain Maréchal]

I regret to say it is the Wild version about which I was disparaging earlier. I agree it is technically magnificent, but for me it lacks the darker undercurrents in a work with so many references to mortality. Weber, among others, hears them, and although pastoralguy thinks it "fun to perform", is it not more than that?

[gurnemanz]

Picked up Rubinstein’s set of Great Piano Concertos 12CDs for £11.99 from Amazon .

Have enjoyed reacquainting myself with his recording of this terrifically enjoyable and tuneful old warhorse with Reiner. Probably still my favourite over Trifonov and Ashkenazy- what is yours ?

Another Rubinstein version worth hearing is the one with Walter Susskind and the Philharmonia in quite vivid 1947 Abbey Road mono sound.

John Ogdon with John Pritchard in 1963, also with Philharmonia Orch, is a good one It's on his EMI Icon Box. Each variation has an index point with most tracks under a minute long.

I agree with others about Wild/Horenstein.

[Barbirollians]

Another Rubinstein version worth hearing is the one with Walter Susskind and the Philharmonia in quite vivid 1947 Abbey Road mono sound.

John Ogdon with John Pritchard in 1963, also with Philharmonia Orch, is a good one It's on his EMI Icon Box. Each variation has an index point with most tracks under a minute long.

I agree with others about Wild/Horenstein.

Possibly unfairly I have always been put off getting those Wild recordings by David Fanning's comment when reviewing another Rachmaninov 3 recording ( not the Argerich/Chailly it seems ) when he described the Wild recording as impressing more as a sporting than an artistic achievement .

[pastoralguy]

I regret to say it is the Wild version about which I was disparaging earlier. I agree it is technically magnificent, but for me it lacks the darker undercurrents in a work with so many references to mortality. Weber, among others, hears them, and although pastoralguy thinks it "fun to perform", is it not more than that?

Of course it's more than that! But that doesn't prevent it being enjoyable to execute.

[pastoralguy]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LP-RACHMA...-/160938671578

Many thanks for that, Ferney. Alas, it wasn't that one. I did google it and three versions of the 'Rach Pag' on CfP appeared but not with a cover I remembered.

[cloughie]

I note from Presto’s listings they have at least 14 other recordings by women of the Rhapsody in addition to the three mentioned by DON if the Weber was his third.

Many are recent such as Yuja Wang but some clearly predate his BAL like Idil Biret and Cecile Licad with Abbado.

Christina Ortiz also recorded it many years ago but it has never been released on CD. EMI PO/Koizumi.

[Pulcinella]

Many thanks for that, Ferney. Alas, it wasn't that one. I did google it and three versions of the 'Rach Pag' on CfP appeared but not with a cover I remembered.

This is the CfP recording I have, but presumably you found it and it's not the one: Tirimo, Philharmonia, Levi.

https://www.discogs.com/Rachmaninov-Martino-Tirimo-Philharmonia-Orchestra-Yoel-Levi-Piano-Concerto-No-2-Rhapsody-On-A-Theme-/release/8312545

I also have Ashkenazy/LSO/Previn and Jando/Budapest SO/Lehel, but have just listened to the BBC MM cover CD issue (Trpceski/BBCSO/Andrew Davis; a 2003 Barbican concert performance), which is rather good.