Search - Sergey Rachmaninov, Anton Rubinstein, Gennady Provatorov :: Rachmaninov, Rubinstein: Piano Concertos

Rare recording of unique masterpiece at bargain price

HB | Fort Mill, SC | 04/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One of the problems with symphony concerts these days is the constant repetition of famous concertos. It seems that soloists, or their conductors, have no desire to expand past the standard repertoire. I guess that is the reason a great masterpiece by Anton Rubinstein is so rarely played in the concert hall. This CD couples the Rubinstein with one of the most played works of all time, the ultra Romantic Rachmaninov 2nd Piano Concerto. Both performances are excellent but the Rubinstein is the better of the two, a truly superb recording. The Rubinstein Concerto (No. 4) is very much like the Mozart 9th Piano Concerto in format. That is all three movements are all about the same length, 10 minutes each. And the opening theme in both concertos starts with the very first note. The Rubinstein sounds extremely difficult to play and that might be another reason pianists avoid the work. Whatever, you can hear this wonderful music in an outstanding performance for only three dollars. Heck, that is less than a McDonald's Value Meal and a lot healthier."

How about 20 stars?

an amazon fan | 09/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This issue puts any Naxos CD to shame. Unbelieveably, the hard to come by Anton Rubinstein Concerto No. 4 is included as well. I probably have 800 Cd's but this is one of the best. And at $2.99! Very hard to believe. BUY THIS CD NOW!!"