Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 2 Essential Recordings

Essential Recordings

Ashkenazy, Moscow PO/Kondrashin
Decca 483 2251 (180g vinyl)
The first of Vladimir Ashkenazy's three Decca recordings; as fillers three Études-Tableaux.

Moiseiwitsch, LPO/Goehr
Naxos 8.110676 (CD)
This version is I think preferable to the 1955 Philharmonia/Rignold remake now on Guild; it comes with Concerto No 1 and the Paganini Rhapsody (various accompanists).

Rachmaninov, Philadelphia/Stokowski
Naxos 8110601 (CD)
With transfers by Mark Obert-Thorn this transfer sounds better than RCA's own. Concerto No 3 with Ormandy is the coupling.

Rubinstein, Philadelphia/Ormandy
Dutton CDLX7336 (SACD)
This licensed Nov 1971 production was made as four-channel, Max Wilcox producing, in the Scottish Rite Cathedral. RCA/Sony or Naxos CDs for the older Rubinstein interpretations.

Sudbin, BBC SO/Oramo
BIS BIS-2338 (SACD)
My Yearbook 2018 album choice. 'Gorgeously rich, not too gooey' concluded BBC Music.

Wang, Mahler CO/Claudio Abbado
DG 477 9308 (CD)
Recorded live in Ferrara, Italy, this is coupled with the Paganini Rhapsody. You can download just the Concerto if preferred.

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