Rachmaninov: Piano Sonata No 2, Etc / Konstantin Scherbakov

$19.99
Label
Naxos
Release Date
September 1, 2003
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      RACHMANINOV
    • PERFORMER
      Konstantin, Scherbakov
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      September 01, 2003
    • UPC
      636943466926
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      8554669
    • LABEL
      Naxos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Instrumental
    Works ⌄

    1. Theme: Largo

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    2. Variation 1: Moderato

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    3. Variation 2: Allegro

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    4. Variation 3

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    5. Variation 4

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    6. Variation 5: Meno mosso

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    7. Variation 6: Meno mosso

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    8. Variation 7: Allegro

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    9. Variation 8

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    10. Variation 9

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    11. Variation 10: Più vivo

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    12. Variation 11: Lento

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    13. Variation 12: Moderato

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    14. Variation 13: Largo

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    15. Variation 14: Moderato

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    16. Variation 15: Allegro scherzando

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    17. Variation 16: Lento

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    18. Variation 17: Grave

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    19. Variation 18: Più mosso

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    20. Variation 19: Allegro vivace

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    21. Variation 20: Presto

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    22. Variation 21: Andante

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    23. Variation 22 and Coda: Maestoso

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    24. I. Élégie

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    25. II. Prelude

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    26. III. Melodie

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    27. IV. Polichinelle

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    28. V. Serenade

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    29. I. Allegro agitato - Meno mosso

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    30. II. Non allegro - Lento - Più mosso

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov

    31. III. Allegro molto - Poco meno mosso - Presto

      Composer: Sergei Rachmaninoff

      Performer: Konstantin Scherbakov


Rachmaninov’s Chopin Variations is a relative rarity on disc and a work that has never caught on in the concert hall. Here is a performance that makes you wonder why. More clearly than in Berezovsky’s (incomplete) recording (Teldec), more compellingly than even Howard Shelley (Hyperion), Scherbakov illustrates how the Variations, touchingly dedicated to Leschetizky, come from the same golden vein of inspiration that followed the Second Piano Concerto, even reusing some of its figurations and modulations (listen to Vars 3 and 8). Contrast the limpid lyricism of the brief Var. 17, one of the composer’s greatest melodies, with the bravura finale (Scherbakov chooses the alternative presto coda to end the cycle): this is great Rachmaninov playing with an eye for detail and lucid phrasing as much as for atmosphere and colour.

The five Op. 3 pieces are notable for the beautiful tonal quality of the playing (this and the recording throughout are first class). I’ve heard more cohesive takes on the Prelude, the second of the set (Hofmann, for example, and the composer himself), and the opening ‘Élégie’ has a slightly indulgent tempo, but Scherbakov’s individuality and character carry the day.

In the Sonata he manages to combine drama, breathtaking articulation and clarity of texture (usually one disappears at the expense of the other in this work). While it does not claim the pent-up, nerve-jangling thrill of Horowitz’s famous account, and despite a slight loss of tension in the final pages, Scherbakov’s must rank as a front runner among modern recordings.

-- Jeremy Nicholas, BBC Music