Paganini

Star pianist Lang Lang joins star conductor Valery Gergiev and the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre to perform two star-making works of the piano and orchestra repertoire: Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Both works contain themes that are very familiar to many. The third movement of the Concerto contains the "Full Moon and Empty Arms" theme, while the Rhapsody has the romantic 18th variation that is frequently heard in film soundtracks, most famously Somewhere in Time. The real attraction here, however, is the combination of two spectacular musicians who each have their own following and their own distinct style of interpretation.

The smasher of cultural and classical music taboos (LA Times) is releasing here his first recording with orchestra. Rachmaninoffs famous Paganini variations arranged for organ and orchestra by Cameron Carpenter himself. The album was recorded on the International Touring Organ, together with the Konzerthausorchester Berlin and Christoph Eschenbach A virtuoso composer-performer unique among keyboardists, Camerons approach to the organ is smashing the stereotypes of organists and organ music while generating a level of acclaim, exposure, and controversy unprecedented for an organist. His repertoire from the complete works of J. S. Bach and Cesar Franck, to his hundreds of transcriptions of non-organ works, his original compositions, and his collaborations with jazz and pop artists is perhaps the largest and most diverse of any organist. He is the first organist ever nominated for a GRAMMY® Award for a solo album.

Serge Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto might never have seen the light of day had it not been for hypnosis: before the twenty-seven-year-old composer began work on it, he was on his last legs – financially, artistically and psychologically. Dr Nikolay Dahl hypnotised his patient every day, whispering to him: ‘You will write your concerto. You will work with great fluency. The concerto will be of excellent quality.’ The creative block disappeared, and the concerto’s premiere in Moscow in 1901 was a triumph for Rachmaninov, who played the solo part himself. Anna Vinnitskaya says she feels ‘a spring-like atmosphere’ in this work: throughout there is a sense of movement, of awakening. The music passes through the most contrasting psychological landscapes, but moves towards clarity and light. Rachmaninov composed the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini in 1934, ten years before his death. Brahms, Liszt, Lutosławski and Andrew Lloyd Webber are among the remarkable roll call of composers inspired by Paganini’s theme.

Sergei Rachmaninov - Paganini Rhapsody & Piano Concerto No.2
Yuja Wang, piano / Mahler Chamber Orchestra / Claudio Abbado
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 225 MB | Full Artwork: 83 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Deutsche Grammophon # 477 9308 GH | Country/Year: Germany 2011
Genre: Classical | Style: Romantic, Piano

"…Wang's impeccable technique and tonal beauty certainly aid in pouring this old wine into a new bottle . . . the spins and gyrations become quite beguiling, while Abbado injects his own potent impetus into the mix. A disarming lovely set of Rachmaninov works, beautifully played and gorgeously recorded courtesy of engineer Stephan Flock." ~Audiophile Audition

Since their inaugural presentation, Paganini’s Twenty-Four Caprices have consistently garnered admiration from audiences, with their mesmerizing effect attributed to the exceptional technical proficiency demanded of the performer. Conversely, it is uncommon for performers to project anything other than their own instrumental excellence, with the technical content of the performance becoming the primary focus for listeners. François Sochard, concertmaster of the Orchestre de chambre de Lausanne, has risen to the challenge with his first solo album, which is as sensitive as it is daring.

These performances, dating from the 80s when the young Russian pianist was at his peak (he soon withdrew himself from the music scene), are among the best for Rachmaninoff's music.