The classical edition of the most popular thread-format

np Nelson Goermer playing Serge Rachmaninov, Concerto pour Piano Nr. 3 en Ré Mineur, Opus 30

I almost never listen to classical music, but I heard many good things about Rachmaninov, so I decided to borrow this cd from the library (yes I do that a lot )

Apparently it's not something I can listen to for a long time, too much of the same... I need some heavy rock now

Beethoven - 5th Symphony


Look at that, the first one to post. I feel special now.

The Rach 3 was once considered the Mt. Everest and K2 of the piano. It was the most difficult piano composition out there. Rachmaninov is considered the 2nd greatest classical piano player, behind Franz Liszt. His hands are stuff of legend in their reach. His playing was on the level of freak of nature. Everyone tries to master Rach 3, but very few have even come close. No one has mastered it yet on record. It drove David Helfgott over the edge of sanity.




I would suggest the versions by Rachmaninov himself, Horowitz, Martha Argerich, and Vladimir Ashkenazy. With Horowitz's 1951 RCA and Argerich's Philips being the fastest and best versions. Would have loved to hear a recording of Rachmaninov in his prime.

Another of Rachmaninov's most popular pieces are Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Rubinstein's version is my favorite.


The other is Prelude in C sharp minor.

Keep in mind the sound quality on the Rachmaninov's own recordings are old. They were recorded between 1919-1942 when he died.

Mahler - 7th Symphony - Georg Solti & Chicago Symphony

Shostakovich - 1st Symphony - Eugene Ormandy & Philadelphia Orchestra. Shostakovich was present at this performance in 1959. And it's still the best version.

Chopin - Nocturnes 1- 21 - Maria João Pires

Dvorák - Cello concerto in B minor - Mstislav Rostropovich on cello, Herbert von Karajan & Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra

Debussy - Violin sonata - Kyung-Wha Chung & Radu Lupu

Alfred Schnittke - "Concerto For Mixed Chorus"

Giya Kancheli - Abii Ne Viderem