Rachmaninov Plays and Conducts, Vol.5

S.Rachmaninov - piano (1-3) Philadelphia Symphony orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy (1-3) and Sergei Rachmaninov (4-6) In the summer of 1909 in his family estate in Ivanovka and in the autumn in Moscow Rachmaninov, in his own words, was working like a comvict finishing his new major composition, Piano Concerto No3. He was doing his best to complete it in time for his planned tour in America. The premier performances took place on November 28 and 30, and with great success. Ever since many majot virtuoso pianists, or, rather, those who dared to play this most complicated composition, included the Third Concerto in their repertoire. But Rachmaninov's performance of course remains unsurpassed model in its power, depth and grandeur. This CD represents the only recording of the Concerto made by Rachmaninov. He did it with the Philadelphia Symphony Orchestra under Eugene Ormandi. Rachmaninov regarded the orchestra as the best in the world and always gave preference to it when first playing his new works or making recordings. Recording of the Third Symphony, one of the composer's monumental works, presents a chance to get acquainted with the skill of Rachmaninov-conductor. The recording was made on December 11, 1939. The Third (Concerto) has a bright, steady and not at all introverted opening - nothing self-conscious or specious at all. The peaks of phrases sound unarguably right as we listen and the clarity of passagework in the slow movement is Olympian and flawless. -- Jonathan Woolf