Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead

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Music reviews of Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead

Music Review: An excellent set now as a compilation.
Rating: 5 Stars

Not only as a recording accomplishment but on artistic grounds as well does this set deserve to be offered as a compilation. The piano concertos are all distinguished and really have not received the exposure that they deserve. Mikhail Rudy offers a fine performance throughout. This set, if it is a straight reissue of the previous Piano Concertos, should also include the original, and very interesting, conclusion to the 4th Piano Concerto. The recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 is also a fine work that has been put into this Rachmaninov box set.

In the symphonies Mariss Jansons makes his own unique stamp on these works and the result is very satisfactory throughout. While one may disagree with some elements of his interpretations, such as his election to do the 2nd and 3rd Symphonies without the exposition repeats, one cannot fault his overall approach and vitality.

In addition to the well-known Vocalise, the listener gets the mysterious and rarely-recorded Scherzo as an additional filler piece.

Jansons has created a compilation here that is nearly as comprehensive as those done by Ashkenazy (Decca) and Slatkin (Vox). Overall I would rate this set sonically and artistically slightly below Ashkenazy, but slightly better than Slatkin. I stronly recommend this set as a complement to either compilation.

Description of Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead

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