Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances - de Waart (1973)

Sergej Rachmaninov
Symphonic Dances Op. 45
Caprice bohémien Op. 12

London Philharmonic Orchestra
Edo de Waart
Philips 6500 362

An irresistible recording by the great Dutch Maestro and the warm-toned London Philharmonic at its best. One of the most beautiful accounts of Rachmaninov's late masterpiece (composed in 1940 in the U.S.) and the first recording of the earlier, colourful Caprice bohémien.

This album was bought in 2007 at Classical Exchange, Notting Hill Gate, London, a real haven for the CD and record archeologist...

LP Transfer
APE & Covers

Rachmaninov: Piano concerto nº 3 in D minor Op30 - Sgouros/Simonov, Berlin Phil (1983)

From Davide:

This one is a favourite lost recording of mine. Greek forgotten mega-virtuoso Dimitris Sgouros was 15 and at the peak of a promising career which alas didn't last for the same obscure reasons which brought to unexpected oblivion the name of too many pianists... pressure? Sudden fame when still too young to cope with lots of engagements in the concert halls of the world instead of - say - playing football in the courtyard with your pals? Who knows....

Sure enough, this stunning recording from 1983 (here ripped from the Japan CD of the time) shows a superb technique, an intense musicality, paired with a youthful energy which has the Berliner Philharmoniker (no less) struggling to catch up with! The Karajan orchestra, here conducted by Yuri Simonov, is a pleasure to listen to, displaying a full tone warmer sound than in the DG recordings of the same golden years. My Neapolitan friend Giorgia Tomassi, who won the Rubinstein Competition back in 1992 with this very piece, loved it too! Enjoy!