Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 2 & Paganini Rhapsody - Lang Lang - Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra - Deutsche Grammophon 00289 477 5499 GISA (2005) SACD rip via PS3 to iso (4.9GB) | 24bit/88.2kHz flac | Mch (3.28GB) (+6dB gain) | 2ch (1.58GB) DR12 (+6dB gain) | Classical Piano ----------------------------------------------------------- AllMusic: Star pianist Lang Lang joins star conductor Valery Gergiev & the Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre to perform 2 star-making works of the piano & orchestra repertoire: Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 & 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 & 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 2 spectacular musicians who each have their own following & their own distinct style of interpretation. Lang Lang is known for being highly individual & subjective, & Gergiev is known for his attention to detail & the vitality of his readings. The resulting combination here is guaranteed to be unique &, at times, surprising. http://youtu.be/iG-qtaZqOqQ Amazon by Michael F. on 16 Feb 2008: I just can't believe DG has released this record with such obvious problems. 1st, the piano is overstated - mics are probably way too close & as a result the piano sound is poor in terms of clarity throughtout the recording (except perhaps in the pp & ppp passages); in fact, it just doesn't sound like a concert Steinway, rather like a prep school babygrand. 2nd, the orchestra sounds distant; it doesn't blend well with the piano. Last but not least, Lang Lang's interpretation, whilst technically correct, is just disappointing: phrasing & articulation is not in the great masters style that we all know - it almost seems he lacks inspiration - it is rather a show off of his dexterity. This is unfortunate because I have seen Lang Lang live at the RAH, & he did a superb interpretation that day (plus his favorit Liszt encores !) Any positives? ... let me just say that the orchestra sounds very fine (although distant) & is brilliantly conducted. All in all, I just can't believe DG has released such a crippled record - Lang Lang should record it again it (with a decent producer), & this 1 should be recalled away from the market (& buyers like myself refunded). All these problems are exacerbated if you listen in 2 ch - Mch helps by providing greater clarity to the piano - all in all 1 star in 2ch; 2 in Mch. I guess I will keep this record as a case study of what can go wrong in top budget classical music recording. Amazon review by A Customer on 13 Mar 2005: The dream team of Valery Gergiev, Lang Lang & the orchestra of the Mariinsky theatre is pure enchantment & the sound quality is astounding. I have never heard these pieces performed so beautifully before. They touch every nerve with their intoxicating mix of emotions - so brutally honest in the delivery - forcing you to feel the fear, doubt, grief, sadness & joy that Rachmaninov himself must have felt in order to write them. I don't know anything about classical music technically - but I know it should move you - & this does... It moves you to the very core! SA-CD.net review by Allan1us September 24, 2005: Initially I did not buy this because of some criticisms of both the balance favouring the piano more than the orchestra & of Lang Lang's interpretation. However I heard a very interesting interview with Lang Lang on Radio 3. He spoke with such sensitivity & intelligence that I got the record & very much enjoy both the concerto & the Rhapsody. The question of the balance between orchestra & soloist has not troubled me personally. More from SA-CD.net: http://www.sa-cd.net/showreviews/2788 Tracks: 01. Moderato 02. Adagio Sostenuto 03. Allegro Scherzando 04. Introduction. Allegro Vivace 05. Variation (Precedente) 06. Tema. L'istesso Tempo 07. Variation II. L'istesso Tempo 08. Variation III. L'istesso Tempo 09. Variation IV. Piu Vivo 10. Variation V. Tempo Precedente 11. Variation VI. L'istesso Tempo 12. Variation VII. Meno Mosso, A Tempo Moderato 13. Variation VIII. Tempo I 14. Variation IX. L'istesso Tempo 15. Variation X 16. Variation XI. Moderato 17. Variation XII. Tempo Di Minuetto 18. Variation XIII. Allegro 19. Variation XIV. L'istesso Tempo 20. Variation X. Piu Vivo. Scherzando 21. Variation XVI. Allegretto 22. Variation XVII. 23. Variation XVIII. Andante Cantabile 24. Variation XIX. L'istesso Tempo 25. Variation XX. Un Poco Piu Vivo 26. Variation XXI. Un Poco Piu Vivo 27. Variation XXII. Un Poco Piu Vivo (Alla Breve) 28. Variation XXIII. L'Listesso Tempo 29. Variation XXIV. A Tempo Un Poco Meno Mosso ----------------------------------------------------------- Checksum for iso: d7baacb7c10730406e6882d9f1e51716 *Rachmaninov Piano Concerto #2 - Lang Lang - Orchestra of the Mariinsky Theatre.iso