Best CD of Rachmaninoff's Third Piano C

OK, I am back. I dad a date in Baltimore with three other Russians. Yuri Temirkanov conducting Shostakovich #7 and Sergei Babayan playing Bach Piano Concerto #1 (also Yuri conducting).

I was not kidding about the old Rachmaninov recording. It is sonically only fair (recorded 12/4/39), but the performance is by the Rach himself, so it is worth having as a reference. With Ormandy / Philadelphia RCA 5997-2-RC (also available on the Musical Heritage Society label). Also includes Rach playing #2 with Philadelphia / Stokowski (recorded 4/10/29).

My modern pick of Rach #3 is Santiago Rodriguez playing with the Sofia Philharmonic, conducted by Emil Tabakov on Elan label CD2220. Be careful, there is another Rach #3 Rodriguez on Elan with Lake Forest Symphony.

I am very interested in hearing the Volodos recording. I heard him play the Prokofiev #2 live in person a couple months ago. Best I have ever heard of that work.

Not familiar with the Ashkenazy/Previn Rach #3, but their recording of the Rach #2 in 1972 is the best Rach #2 IMHO (London Jubilee 417-702-2 and a newer pressing).

I guess while you're at the store, pick up the original Rach recording of Rach playing numbers 1 and 4, also Ormandy / Philadelphia. RCA 6659-2-RC. (Or through Musical Heritage Society.) http://www.musicalheritage.com/

Just saw that the Agerich/Chailly Rach PC 3 on Phillips is
now available in their new remastered "50 greatest" series
at mid price, however the coupling is not as good as full price original. But if you only want Rach PC 3 this is great buy. I am also looking to replace my old Kovacevich/Davis Greig PC 1 with remastered "50 greatest"
version but none of my sources have it yet.

I did recently replace my Davis/CBO Berlioz Sym. Fantasique,
with new Phillips "50 greatest" version and was impressed by remastered sound. Fortunately these are mid price, but I am afraid this is not the last CD I will upgrade!

Sam-is that the 2 cd set with Harold and Symphonie Triomphale? Really great Viola on the former and that swinging Trombone on the latter.

Kitch, no the remastered Davis/CBO Berlioz Sym Fantastique is a single disc, part of new "50 greatest" series just released at mid price. Contains only Sym Fantastique like original release, no additional music.

The disc you refer to is an older Phillips "duo" release.
The "50 greatest" series was just released and uses SOTA 24/96 remastering which at least in this case delivers as advertised.

I saw several places on the internet where you can order the
complete Rach PC 1-4 Ashkenazy/Previn/Decca for under $14
as a budget priced "Decca Double" release. Life is good.