RACHMANINOV Piano Concertos Nos 2 & 4 (Trifonov)
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Sergey Rachmaninov, Daniil Trifonov, Johann Sebastian Bach
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Magazine Review Date: 11/2018
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 70
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: 483 5335GH
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 |
Sergey Rachmaninov, Composer
Daniil Trifonov, Composer Philadelphia Orchestra Sergey Rachmaninov, Composer Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor |
(3) Sonatas and 3 Partitas, Movement: Partita No. 3 in E, BWV1006 |
Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer
Daniil Trifonov, Composer Johann Sebastian Bach, Composer |
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 4 |
Sergey Rachmaninov, Composer
Daniil Trifonov, Composer Philadelphia Orchestra Sergey Rachmaninov, Composer Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Conductor |
Author: Jeremy Nicholas
Far more successful is the Fourth Concerto, recorded live (unlike the Second) some two and a half years earlier in the same venue (Verizon Hall, Kimmel Center, Philadelphia). This is adroitly and excitingly executed by Trifonov while taking slightly more measured tempos in all three movements than Rachmaninov, Michelangeli and Hough (all roughly the same). The bloom and intonation of the Philadelphia strings are a delight and one would be lucky indeed to be introduced to this marvellous score through this recording, though the presence of any audience comes as a surprise when enthusiastic applause and whooping greet the end of the performance.
In between the two concertos come the three movements transcribed by Rachmaninov of Bach’s seven-movement E major Partita for solo violin. Their good humour and charm completely elude Trifonov, who is merely dutiful and matter-of-fact compared with the light-hearted touch of Idil Biret, let alone the composer (1942).
The marketing of this release relies on the somewhat strained concept of a musical journey. Hence the sequence of striking faux-1920s photographs of Daniil Trifonov with a suitcase and dressed like a Russian spy on a historical railway (actually the Bluebell Line in Sussex). The disc’s title ‘Destination Rachmaninov – Departure’ adds nothing to one’s understanding or enjoyment of the contents.
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