[SACD-R][OF] Рахманинов - Фортепианный Концерт No 2 & Паганини Рапсодия (Lang Lang, Валерий Гергиев, Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra) - 2005 (Piano, Orchestral)

AllMusic:
Star pianist Lang Lang joins star conductor Valery Gergiev & the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre to perform 2 star-making works of the piano & orchestra repertoire: Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto No. 2 & the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Both works contain themes that are very familiar to many. The third movement of the Concerto contains the “Full Moon & Empty Arms” theme, while the Rhapsody has the romantic 18th variation that is frequently heard in film soundtracks, most famously Somewhere in Time. The real attraction here, however, is the combination of 2 spectacular musicians who each have their own following & their own distinct style of interpretation. Lang Lang is known for being highly individual & subjective, & Gergiev is known for his attention to detail & the vitality of his readings. The resulting combination here is guaranteed to be unique &, at times, surprising.
Amazon by Michael F. on 16 Feb 2008:
I just can’t believe DG has released this record with such obvious problems.
1st, the piano is overstated – mics are probably way too close & as a result the piano sound is poor in terms of clarity throughtout the recording (except perhaps in the pp & ppp passages); in fact, it just doesn’t sound like a concert Steinway, rather like a prep school babygrand.
2nd, the orchestra sounds distant; it doesn’t blend well with the piano.
Last but not least, Lang Lang’s interpretation, whilst technically correct, is just disappointing: phrasing & articulation is not in the great masters style that we all know – it almost seems he lacks inspiration – it is rather a show off of his dexterity. This is unfortunate because I have seen Lang Lang live at the RAH, & he did a superb interpretation that day (plus his favorit Liszt encores !)
Any positives? … let me just say that the orchestra sounds very fine (although distant) & is brilliantly conducted.
All in all, I just can’t believe DG has released such a crippled record – Lang Lang should record it again it (with a decent producer), & this 1 should be recalled away from the market (& buyers like myself refunded). All these problems are exacerbated if you listen in 2 ch – Mch helps by providing greater clarity to the piano – all in all 1 star in 2ch; 2 in Mch.
I guess I will keep this record as a case study of what can go wrong in top budget classical music recording.
Amazon review by A Customer on 13 Mar 2005:
The dream team of Valery Gergiev, Lang Lang & the orchestra of the Mariinsky theatre is pure enchantment & the sound quality is astounding.
I have never heard these pieces performed so beautifully before. They touch every nerve with their intoxicating mix of emotions – so brutally honest in the delivery – forcing you to feel the fear, doubt, grief, sadness & joy that Rachmaninov himself must have felt in order to write them. I don’t know anything about classical music technically – but I know it should move you – & this does… It moves you to the very core!
SA-CD.net review by Allan1us September 24, 2005:
Initially I did not buy this because of some criticisms of both the balance favouring the piano more than the orchestra & of Lang Lang’s interpretation. However I heard a very interesting interview with Lang Lang on Radio 3. He spoke with such sensitivity & intelligence that I got the record & very much enjoy both the concerto & the Rhapsody. The question of the balance between orchestra & soloist has not troubled me personally.

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