COMPOSERS: Rachmaninov/Dohnanyi
LABELS: Decca Classic Sound
WORKS: Piano Concerto No. 2; Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini; Dohnányi: Variations on a Nursery Song
PERFORMER: Julius Katchen (piano); LSO/ Georg Solti, LPO/Adrian Boult
CATALOGUE NO: 448 604-2 ADD (1958-60)
I’ve always had a somewhat ambivalent relationship to the Rachmaninov Second and the Paganini Rhapsody. If all the performances that I’d ever heard of the two had been of this quality, that situation would never have arisen. Katchen’s early death from cancer was a tragic loss to the pianistic fraternity, as this splendid reissue makes poignantly clear. The playing has tremendous dash and sweep, an electrifying vitality and a commanding intelligence, and the same goes for the Dohnányi. The remastering throughout is likewise of the most superior quality. Jeremy Siepmann
Rachmaninov/Dohnanyi
I’ve always had a somewhat ambivalent relationship to the Rachmaninov Second and the Paganini Rhapsody. If all the performances that I’d ever heard of the two had been of this quality, that situation would never have arisen. Katchen’s early death from cancer was a tragic loss to the pianistic fraternity, as this splendid reissue makes poignantly clear. The playing has tremendous dash and sweep, an electrifying vitality and a commanding intelligence, and the same goes for the Dohnányi. The remastering throughout is likewise of the most superior quality. Jeremy Siepmann
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:39 pm