Rachmaninov: The Edison Recordings, April 1919

Rachmaninov: The Edison Recordings, April 1919 cover $25.00 Out of Stock
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RACHMANINOV / CHOPIN / LISZT / TAUSIG
Rachmaninov: The Edison Recordings, April 1919
Sergey Rachmaninov (piano)

[ Naxos Historial Great Pianists / CD ]

Release Date: Friday 14 July 2017

This item is currently out of stock. It may take 6 or more weeks to obtain from when you place your order as this is a specialist product.

Rachmaninov was obliged to start a new life after abandoning all his possessions when leaving Russia for good in 1917. He sought his fortune in the New World, supporting his family as a pianist and giving numerous concerts. This activity generated interest from fledgling record companies, and before long Rachmaninov was working for Thomas Edison in his New York studio. These new transfers of 'approved' and 'held' takes made using the old acoustic process known as 'hill-and dale' reveal more about the instrument Rachmaninov played (probably a Lauter piano) than ever before, as well as opening out his robustly virtuoso approach to Chopin, the beautiful tone he gives to Mozart, and his breathtaking technique in Liszt's Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, the longest solo work he ever recorded.

"Rachmaninov's pianism is utterly and undeniably compelling. One for the pianophile for sure, but also for the non-specialist to sample the unique gifts and earliest recordings of one of the greatest pianists who has ever lived...What treasures - and what a service Naxos has performed in making them available in this form." Gramophone Editor's Choice July 2017

Tracks:

Chopin:
Waltz No. 8 in A flat major, Op. 64 No. 3
(three recordings)
Waltz No. 5 in A flat major, Op. 42
(two recordings)

Liszt:
Hungarian Rhapsody, S244 No. 2 in C sharp minor
(three recordings)

Rachmaninov:
Prelude Op. 3 No. 2 in C sharp minor
(two recordings)

Tausig:
Pastorale in E minor (after Scarlatti)
(two recordings)