Search - Sergey Prokofiev, Sergey Rachmaninov, Kiril Kondrashin :: Rachmaninoff: Piano concerto no.3 / Prokofiev: Piano concerto no.3

This is a historic, and musically profound recording.

01/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As any lover of the piano must know, this live performance marked Mr Cliburn's victory concert after winning the first International Tchaikovsky Competition in 1959. What is less well known is that he was able to win this contest by more than just his mastery of the Russian repertoire, as his playing of a Mozart Sonata was what initially captivated the judges. Be that as it may, Mr Cliburn captured the Russian Soul as no other performer was able to, certainly at that particular competition, and perhaps as well for all the future Tchaikovsky competitions to the present. This piece was the vehicle that allowed Mr Cliburn to so enrapture himself to the Russian people. For this reason alone, this performance deserves more than a casual listening. I will grant that this recording is not technically perfect, though the sound does not detract from one's ability to capture the import of what is going on musically. In terms of the pure spirituality of the performance, and the emotional impact of the final movement, I have not yet heard better. Other performances, in particular the much vaunted Horowitz recording, do not elicit the same emotional response from me. When I first met Mr Cliburn in April of 1967, he indicated to me that of all the recordings he had made to that date, this was the one that he was most able to pour his emotions into. Thus whatever one may say about Mr Cliburn's follow-up career, one can also view this piece, and in particular this recording, as his musical imprimatur.I would also recommend Mr Cliburn's recording of the Prokofieff 7th Sonata, a piece he was more hesitant to release, yet which also captures what must lie at the heart of the Russian Soul."

The best Rach 3 I've ever heard

05/03/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a lifelong Rachmaninov worshipper, I was always puzzled by my lukewarm response to his Third Concerto. Too often the "big tune" at the end sounded tacked on, the first movement cadenza merely some nightmarish etude, the whole without any musical significance. In search of enlightenment, I listened to most of the generally recommended recordings: Horowitz, Argerich, Ashkenazy, Janis. But it was not until I heard Van Cliburn's recording that this music's greatness came through to me. Why is that? Probably because Cliburn plays the music first and the piano second. He brings out the dark Russianness of this music like no one else. The original first movement cadenza has the necessary weight to make musical sense and the ending truly sounds "earned". Only one other recording comes close to Cliburn's: that of Rachmaninov himself.Finally, I suggest that you buy, not this CD, but Van Cliburn's entry in Philips' "Great Pianists of the 20th Century" series, where the Rach 3 is available with Cliburn's other truly great recording: of Rachmaninov's Second Sonata."

Marvin Kowalewski, Ph.D reviews the Rach 3 by Van Cliburn

Marvin M. Kowalewski, PhD | Port Charlotte, Florida | 05/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have spent a couple years listening to various versions of the 3 and when a recent client of mine suggested the Cliburn version because of the history of Cliburn winning the Russian competition, I ran out and bought this version.



To date, my listening has occuppied several sessions comparing with Abbey Simon. First, I must say that it is an old recording and that will make a difference in some acousticly sensitive listeners..but hold on..the original recording of the Rach that can be heard by the master himself is also old. What is it that we want to hear?

I think the technique, the style and the sense of the original is important but also the accuracy. Here is where Cliburn excels..... he is simply there where as Simon simply misses.



Second, tonality, speed and clarity are important..again Cliburn excels...I have noted where too much speed as in the Simon recording has caused shifts in both maintaining connection with the orchestra and the music. Cliburn plays very delibertely and accurately. At this point I humbly think......... none better.

Marvin Kowalewski, Ph.D



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