Repertoire: The BEST Rachmaninov Paganini Rhapsody

Practically every pianist with a recording contract takes a shot at Rachmaninov's popular Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, but the number of great recordings has remained relatively stable for decades. Here they are.

[@shingosanada4396]

Glad you mentioned W. Kapell. What a loss for mankind! I like his recording of Rachmaninov's 3rd with Toronto SO as well. My favourite version for Paganini is Vasary's DG recording, coupled with the most beautiful account of the 2nd. His rendition of the Variation 18 is the best I've ever heard.

[@joewebb1983]

Excellent to see both Wild and Hough get the recognition they deserve. Their Rachmaninov cycles are unparalleled and will always be up there as the best!
I second the comment regarding Leonard Pennario's recording, he excelled in this work.
Also, Dmitri Alexeev's recording with Temirkanov and the St Petersburg PO (coupled with the Symphonic Dances on RCA) is very good indeed, there is a lightness and deftness of touch from Alexeev and the sound is great.
But definitely, Wild and Hough reign supreme!

[@kierkegaard07]

Great channel....always nice to hear someone share his love for music passionately...we really need a complete box of
Zoltan Kocsis's recordings

[@pauldavidartistclub6723]

I finally acquired the Kocsis/de Waart version on Presto Music as a download (it was part of a general audience Rachmaninoff compilation, but available by itself)

[@johndagostino324]

Dave. I heard Hough in person with the New Jersey Symphony and have your recommendation. He was incredible in person. Exquisite piano playing. I see it won a Gramophone Award in 2005. I really enjoy listening to you.

[@francoisjoubert6867]

Hi Dave - your reviews are getting even better. Thanks for the entertainment and scholarship you provide. I am going to listen to the Rubinstein just now!

[@GarthAstrology]

I had three of the five recordings mentioned! But I have to shout out to the performance of my main man Benno Moiseiwitsch!

[@dorfmanjones]

Definitely Benno Moiseiwitsch, piano, with the BBC Symphony Orchestra conducted by Adrian Boult
14 September 1946, London. It's on Marston records. Benno's on the Hofmann level in this performance. Boult is with him all the way.

[@StudentAlephNull]

So true. And his Rach Second is absolutely wonderful, the best I've heard.

[@GarthAstrology]

@@StudentAlephNull Rachmaninoff agreed with you.

[@nihilistlemon1995]

​@StudentAlephNull you mean the one with the slow final , yeah not for me . And no Rachmaninov didn't play it that way either .

[@markevans5144]

Just listening, and checked the Naxos historical recording of the Rhapsody. Timed on the back cover at 22.02 minutes, dated 24 December 1934. Cheers and thanks, Dave, for your always interesting videos

[@jacklong2286]

Rarely have I doubted you as much as with your recommendation of Stephen Hough’s Rachmaninoff concertos, but as usual you are completely right in your assessment! I just wish Hyperion had not included the applause.

[@mistywalters]

I like Fleisher's mono recording under the baton of Szell

[@jfddoc]

Me too. Fleisher tells the story that Szell could not get the sound he wanted in the 18th Variation until he told his Cleavelanders to "Play it like the Philadelphia Orchestra!"

[@harrygerla6085]

Two things about the Kocsis/DeWaart performances. They are also available used at a slightly less outrageous price in a 5cd Decca collection called "The Ultimate Rachmaninov." The Kocsis Rachmaninov cycle comprises two of the five discs. I found the other three discs (Dutoit's Rachmaninov. Sym. #2, the Rachmaninov Vespers, and assorted Rachmaninov solo piano pieces) kind of blah, but it was a slightly cheaper way of obtaining the Kocisis Rachmaninov cycle. The second thing is that you forgot to mention the Kocsis/DeWaart performance as one of the ones to have at the end of your video. Unintentional, I'm sure. Love your video reviews. Keep up the great work.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Everything I do is unintentional...

[@charlescoleman5509]

Great review as always. Very much agreed on the Hough version. Although, since you mentioned the issue of how long a performance should be, do think one should really look at length of the recording in the CD notes before listening to it for the first time? It seems that you might prejudge your listening experience. As important as tempo is, it’s still only one of many elements.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I agree, but there are some pieces where it matters much more than others. In general, I don't pay too much attention to timings as an indicator of performance quality in making a purchase decision. I arrive at conclusions about timings after the experience of lots of versions--only then can you tell what the parameters are, and if timings tend to matter or not.

[@denbigh51]

Jeremy Nicolás in the June 2020 Gramophone evaluated a range of recordings and chose Yuja Wang with Abbado

[@vinylarchaeologist]

Your sound level’s perfect now, Dave.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yay!

[@geoffharris9396]

The Gramophone magazine recently reviewed this work and the critic ruled out Rubinstein completely ! In fact, intimated it was poor ! His winner was Yuji Wang with the conductor your often very critical of, yes, it's Abbado !! Who said ''what price critics ' ?

[@williamwhittle216]

The Hough is also an SACD, which I have.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

...and the sound of which I do not like.

[@williamwhittle216]

I hear your point. Just listened to. The Sonics lack some punch, though the string quality is good.

[@larrywallach2706]

Left out Fleisher and Szell--almost equal to Kapell and Reiner, and preferable, IMHO, to Hough.