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RACHMANINOFF PIANO CONCERTO 2

I recently purchased Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto #2
SACD version by PentaTone Classics which has The Piano Concerto # 2 and Paganini's Theme. I was very disappointed with the performance and sound quality. Can anybody recommend a CD or SACD that has better sound? I have thought of the 4 cd box set of the 4 Piano concertos played by Stephen Hough as well as Earl Wild, but would prefer an excellend sounding # 2. Don't want the #1 & #4.
Any feedback would be sincerely appreciated.
kjl
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
The best Rach 2's are rated by most people by performance quality. If it happens to sound good, then it is a bonus.

I could recommend a few great ones, but I cannot comment on the sound.

My favorite Rach 2 by far is the 1971 Ashkenazy / Previn London Symphony recording on London/Decca.

If you get swept away by the performance you may forget about the sound.
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newbee
4,756 posts
 
Ashkenazy rules in Rachmoninoff! Symphonies, PC's w/Previn, solo piano, and two piano's w/Previn. Very good recordings as well. Now that thats out of the way.....

Listen to Hough before you buy. Despite all of the accolades, I found it a disappointing set. Performance and sonic's. Wild's set is well worth having, and its been an audiophile favorite for years.

My current favorite in 1 & 2 is by Andsnes/Pappano on EMI. Warning it is not soupy - its much more brisk than most, something I think Rachmaninoff's music can use..its romantic enuf with out the typical performances in which the conductors broadens it even more. FWIW, I think Rachmaninoff himself played his music much as I prefer.

If you want a beautifully played and sonically excellent recording, try Ogawa on BIS.
tfkaudio
591 posts
 
What about Van Cliburn on RCA Living Stereo SACD?
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