Rachmaninoff & Ravel Recommendations

Max

You absolutely MUST hear Arturo Benedetti Michaelangeli's 1957 EMI recording of the Rachmaninov Fourth with Ravel's Concerto in G. It's easily one of the best piano concerto recordings ever made and the early stereo is remarkably good.

The Ravel Concerto on the Michaelangeli CD is one of two piano concertos that Ravel wrote and is not the Left Hand one that you're after (although it is actually a better piece, in my view).

I don't think that you'll find the Ravel Left Hand concerto coupled with the Rachmaninov Fourth. Best to go for both Ravel concertos on one CD. I'd recommend Samson Francois on EMI or Krystian Zimmerman on DG.

But do try the Michaelangeli disc, please!

Graham

Check out Leon Fleischer's version. While you are on Fleischer, you must own his recent release Two Hands. Two Hands is the most emotionally evocative recital you can imagine. There is a good discussion in the liner notes of the ailment, Dystonia, which sidelined him for the peak years of his life.

Norman

Speaking of Fleisher (no C in his name by the way), his recordings of the Brahms concerti with Szell and the Cleveland Orchestra are really quite something too (I even prefer them to the Gilels - I'd better duck now before Graham lynches me ).

regards, Tam

For the Ravel, Samson Francois on EMI and Krystian Zimerman on DG are my favorites. Can't help on Rach.

--

quote:

Originally posted by Tam:
Speaking of Fleisher (no C in his name by the way)
regards, Tam

Oops. Uncharacteristically careless of me.

Norman

Norman,

I think that it is a compliment. Tam never corrects my spelling which is characteristically awfull! Fredrik

Norman - sorry, sometimes my pedantry gets the better of me!

Fredrik - it may be better than you think - or i may just not have noticed anything!

regards, Tam

Thanks for the reply guys.

I think that I definately have to go with Grahams suggestion on the Michaelangeli's disc soley based on his emphatic plea for that particular recording; also, because I love the older recordings for their pure recording qualities(if that makes any sense).
Still debating on the Ravel.

The reason I'm after these two pieces in particular has more to do with jazz (would you believe) than classical.
Please don't misunderstand. I love listening to classical, but don't as often as I should. Instead, I am an insatiable jazz fiend.
Miles Davis sited these two pieces as some of the music that inspired a few of his jazz tunes.
Besides, I'm long over due to check out some new classical.

Regards
Max

Max

There's a pretty strong jazz influence behind the two outer movements of the Ravel G Major, plus a staggeringly beautiful middle movement.

If you go for the disc, try to get it in its latest Great Recordings of the Century incarnation (5 67238 2 in Europe).

Todd, I'm pleased to see that we're at one in our choices for the Ravel concertos!

Graham

quote:

Originally posted by Tam:
Norman - sorry, sometimes my pedantry gets the better of me!

regards, Tam

Tam,

No offen(ce)(se) (which side of the Atlantic are we on?) taken. I do believe that more than anything else, proper names should be spelled correctly. It is particularly embarrasing as I have a second degree connection with Mr. Fleisher: my pianist partner in crime (crimes against music, that is) during my college days in Baltimore was one of his students.

Again, "Two Hands" is one of my most favorite recent purchases.

Norman

quote:

Originally posted by Max Bass:

Miles Davis sited these two pieces as some of the music that inspired a few of his jazz tunes.

Regards
Max

Max,

Miles introduced me to the world of jazz a couple of years ago when I bought Classic Record's "Kind of Blue" 200 gm LP on a lark. Up until then I had liked hearing jazz at friend's homes, but really only owned a couple of Ron Carter LPs and the Smithsonian jazz compilation (LP). I have since explored many of those associated with Miles including, of course, Coltrane, Cannonball, Bill Evans, Ron Carter... Now I am as likely to end an evening's listening with jazz as I am classical.

Norman

quote:

Originally posted by Cosmoliu:
Again, "Two Hands" is one of my most favorite recent purchases.

I really must buy this disc - I've been meaning to ever since it got a favourable review in Gramophone.

regards, Tam

Tam

Do you happen to know which issue of Gramophone the review appeared in? I remember reading it, but didn't make a note to myself to follow up in any way.

(Incidentally, "new" live Beethoven Seventh from C Kleiber/BavarianSO about to be released by Orfeo next week.)

Regards.

Graham

Graham,

Thanks something else to spend my money on

According to the Gramophone review database it was all the way back in November 2004, here is the link:

http://www.gramophone.co.uk/gramofilereview.asp?reviewI...Gramophone+11%2F2004

regards, Tam

Tam

Thanks for that. Will get out my issue when I get back from the Indian restaurant tonight.

The CK recording comes from a concert in 1982 and, although it's the only work on the CD, the CD is avaiilable to pre-order on Amazon at mid-price. I wonder why they couldn't have given us the whole concert?

Anyway, this is way off topic, so I'll b*gger off now.

Graham

Graham,

For what it's worth, the Gramofile review database contains reviews of all past issues (after a couple of months) and is searchable and saves the hassle of digging out old issues - in short it's very useful (and though you have to register, there is no need to be a subscriber or pay).

regards, Tam

Thanks for the link, Tam. Seems even The Gramophone has trouble getting his name right, though they covered by spelling it both ways. BTW, I got turned on to the CD by it being one of the New York Times' top dozen classical CDs of 2004 (or was it 2005's list?).

Norman

quote:

Originally posted by graham55:
There's a pretty strong jazz influence behind the two outer movements of the Ravel G Major, plus a staggeringly beautiful middle movement.

Amen, and amen again, to that middle movement ... one of my all-time favorite pieces of any kind of music.

I'm not familiar with all the versions folks here have mentioned, but my favorite is by Pascal Rogé with the Montreal Symphony conducted by Charles Dutoit. In fact, the four disc set of the complete Ravel orchestral works by Dutoit/Montreal is a huge favorite of mine.

Fred

Once again, thanks for all your good input. Looking forward to hearing this music.
I'll also be adding the Ravel in G major to the list.

Regards
Max

Fred

As you're a pianist, you owe it to yourself to hear the Michelangeli record mentioned above (and, before anyone asks, I'm not on a commission for sales of this record).

Incidentally, for you vinyl junkies out there, Testament have this very same release out as an LP (ASD 255).

I think I'll go off and play it (CD, that is) right now.

Graham