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Rachmaninov for beginners

Rachmaninov is a composer that I've tried to listen to on a few occasions but never been able to get into. I have this nagging feeling that I might not have started out with the right piece, but then again, it's also possible that his music is just not my cup of tea.

This morning while watching Sesame street with my daughter they featured a Chinese born pianist, whose name I think was something like Lang Lang or Ling Ling, and he played a beautiful piece of Rachmaninov music.

So now I'm thinking I should give it another try. I love piano music, and I prefer orchestral to chamber or solo (so think Piano concertos). I also like my classical music romantic .. Brahms, Schumann, some Beethoven, some Dvorak, some Mozart (Piano conc. no 20 in particular). I don't like overt displays of virtuosity ... the music comes first.

Are there Rachmaninov experts out there who could offer a suggestion for an introductory piece ?

Many thanks

Sean
seandtaylor99
seandtaylor99 OP
1,262 posts
 
Thanks for a great thread everyone.
I will also look for the Cello sonata as piano and cello are my two favorite solo intruments for concertos.

Marco, I have a very old LP of saint Saens Piano concerto no 2. I really like the opening movement, but for me it falls apart after that. It's one thing to change the mood of a piece, but this particular change leaves me rather cold.

Rob Mozart PC no 20 is really great, but if I had only one movement of one concerto to take to my desert island it would have to be the slow movement (second) of Beethoven's piano conc. no 5 (Emperor). The 1st and 3rd movements are pleasant and have nice moments, but the adagio is just sublime. Whenever I've had a bad day I can count on that piece to transport me far away.

thanks again everyone
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Yep, the Saint Saens is a real roller coaster ride from dramatic to whimsical. I can understand that you don't like the drastic changes. Never bothered me (obviously).

Thanks Newbee; I'll look for that other piano roll CD. Yes, it was the 'sonics' of that CD that I was awkwardly trying to complement and not the performance (though you would never think it was a machine performing).

Marco
cello
645 posts
 
.
Sean,
.
Find a copy of Earl Wild playing Rachmaninov Piano CTO # 2. and then settle down for some true joy.
.
Rgds,
Larry
.
jax2
3,031 posts
 
Find a copy of Earl Wild playing Rachmaninov Piano CTO # 2.

Damn, that reminds me, I had the Chesky LP version of Wild doing the Rock 2. Sold it with all my other LP's. I do remember liking that recording, but it's been many years since listening to it.

Marco
lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1
286 posts
 
As others have stated, the 'twos' are great: piano concerto and symphony. Ashkenazy is indeed an excellent choice for the concerto. There are many, many excellent performances of this piece out there.

If you like the Rach cello sonata, check out the Shostakovich. Rachmaninoff can be a gateway drug into the slightly more modern... I think YoYo Ma and Manny Ax have a CD with both.
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