Search - Alexander Warenberg, S. Rachmaninoff :: Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No.5 Based on Symphony No. 2

Rach's 2nd diminished by a 5th

T. Taepke | 08/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I loved Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 - have various recordings of it. When I saw that this symphony was arranged for piano and orchestra, I just had to have it. Don't get me wrong, this piece is still great, with the piano finding its way in this composition, but I was disappointed that it was only orchestrated in the typical concerto style of three movements, instead of the four movements by which the symphony composed for. I had wished the arranger would have not done a disservice to this brilliant Russian composer and "minimize" this great work. I do enjoy this recording and play it often, but feel a little cheated that I didn't get "all" of this symphony.



Hopefully when the Detroit Symphony records this symphony next year, I won't be disappointed with their interpretation."

Just excellent!

Nancy J. Redpath | Kansas | 02/07/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't have a degree in music or some amazingly analytical musical capabilities, but I now what I like. Rachmaninoff's music is always moving even if sometimes dark and ominous. While the Third Piano Concerto fits that profile, the Fifth dose not. You will recognize several of Rachmininoff's favorite moves in this one and they're strung together by some of the most gorgeous music he ever produced. I think this is a tremendously beautiful piece of music and I can't imagine anyone saying otherwise! It is performed extremely well and in my opinion, you'll enjoy it as much as I do."