BaL 24.07.21 - Rachmaninov: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

[visualnickmos]

So few recordings in this BaL. Many great names not even acknowledged to exist!

Which considering that (if I'm correct?) BBC Radio 3 has a sort of remit to 'educate' and introduce the younger listener to classical music, is very odd! A classical music newbie, could be forgiven for not knowing Ashkenazy, for one!

[Lordgeous]

Surely with the vast numbers of recordings now available its a nigh on impossible task. Maybe the whole idea is past its prime and should be rethought? Especially the 'twofer' idea!

[seabright]

In this rehearsal of the Rhapsody, with Jerome Lowenthal at the piano, Stokowski recalls "how marvellously Rachmaninoff did this," even though it wasn't "exactly as printed" ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzuOVqk_HxA&t=190s

Stokey was 86 at the time of this TV transmission in 1968 and still very much on the ball.

[Barbirollians]

I only recently became aware of a really fine recording of Bruch's Scottish Fantasia by David Oistrakh and Horenstein, with the LSO, and its to be found on Youtube

Was coupled with Oistrakh’s superb version of the Hindemith VC on a Decca reissue a few years back .It can be found very cheaply on Alto I think.