Rachmaninoff - Vocalise / Rachmaninoff, Moffo, Kissin, Galway, Tomita, Swenson, Asawa, Luboff Choir

 (9 customer reviews)

On this CD you can find different arrangements as well as just different performances of this truly great Rachmaninov's work. Do not be suspicious about how it is really possible to withstand something 13 times in a row! You will be surprised and glad that you have this CD! This work not just allows different interpretation - it allows different moods and emotions. One of the tracks is the actual Rachmaninov's recording - where he conducts the Philadelphia Orchestra. Brian Asawa is absolutely marvelous on the 5th track. Spivakov, who I really like, probably takes a bit too fast tempo, but intonation and phrasing are so beautiful! Playing late romantic music is sometimes very challenging in a sense, that you have to show all the emotions but at the same time you can not take it too far, especially Russian music. This CD gives the outstanding example of balanced understanding of music core. Every performance is distinct and prominent. I can also recommend to listen to...Read more

This is clearly one of the greatest melodies of all time, and it certainly deserves the unusual distinction of being the subject of this CD. The different interpretations are fascinating. Listen for the subtle differences in orchestration--it's like getting a master class on that topic as well as on song interpretation. The only disappointment is that Clara Rockmore's haunting Theramin version with Nadia Reisenberg at the piano is not included.

Rachminoff clearly shows off his ingenious talent with the piece. A piece that has overwhelmed singers and listens with such passion that can easily be expressed with no words. This recording is one of the very best and it's great to relax to as well as use for a reference when singing this elegant masterpiece.