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Rachmaninov - Piano Sonata no.1, Preludes op.32 | Alpha ALPHA997

Rachmaninov - Piano Sonata no.1, Preludes op.32

£13.88

In stock - available for despatch within 1 working day

Label: Alpha

Cat No: ALPHA997

Barcode: 3760014199974

Format: CD

Number of Discs: 1

Genre: Instrumental

Release Date: 20th October 2023

Gramophone Editor's Choice

Contents

Works

Rachmaninov, Sergei

Piano Sonata no.1 in D minor, op.28
Preludes (13), op.32
» no.2 in B flat minor
» no.7 in F major
» no.8 in A minor
» no.13 in D flat major

Artists

Lukas Geniusas (piano)

Works

Rachmaninov, Sergei

Piano Sonata no.1 in D minor, op.28
Preludes (13), op.32
» no.2 in B flat minor
» no.7 in F major
» no.8 in A minor
» no.13 in D flat major

Artists

Lukas Geniusas (piano)

About

The pianist Lukas Geniušas has recorded the original version of Rachmaninov’s Piano Sonata no.1 in the composer’s Swiss home Villa Senar (Sergei & Natalia Rachmaninov) and on his own piano, an unusually long Steinway & Sons model, presented to the composer and concert pianist by the manufacturer to mark his sixtieth birthday. The difference between the original version of Sonata no.1 and the second version, shorter by more than 100 bars, is not just a question of length, according to Lukas Geniušas: ‘There is a lot lost between the first and second editions. I know it goes against the grain, but I would name this sonata to be one of, if not the best Rachmaninov’s solo piano work. Its shattering might, its splendour and scale can only be likened to the Third piano concerto, which was written soon after.’ The programme is completed by four Preludes from the Op.32 set.

Sound/Video



Reviews

It would take a full-length academic article to lay out all the differences between the versions, but in essence the first movement here emerges as even more protean, dreamy and improvisatory than we are used to, while the Lento is little changed and the finale is even more saturated and restless. Geniušas helps Rachmaninov’s instrument to sing its heart out, and even if, as he says, the treble register is not as lustrous as one might want, it is capable of unleashing considerable orchestral-scale grandeur. ... Anyone with more than just a passing interest in Rachmaninov will need to have this excellently recorded disc on their real or virtual shelves.  David Fanning
Gramophone December 2023

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