Best recordings of the 1913 Rach Sonata 2?

[iamcanadian]

Most of my favourite recordings of the Second Sonata are of the 1931 version: Weissenberg, Goerner, Fiorentino, Villa. As far as I can tell, the only recording of the 1913 that I listen to regularly is the Cliburn one.

So, anyone know of any other good recordings of the 1913 version?

[aries]

Kocsis.

[jre58591]

i have to agree with kocsis. you cant get much better than that, in my opinion. theres also a really good one on classical archives played by dmitri ratser, randomly.

[Anima]

Yup, Ratser’s is randomly pretty good, but also maybe a bit too sticky, which is also why I don’t always like Cliburn’s rec.

[iamcanadian]

Respect. Just ordered the Kocsis. Will post in FLAC when it arrives.

[1337-pI4aNi_t]

I have a (mostly) 1913 version recording from a relatively unknown German pianist, Beate Berthold. But I think the recording is quite decent. I’ll be happy to upload it if you are interested.

Review from Gramophon 02/1993

It is no secret that EMI have had difficulty locating pianists of high calibre
over the years. But in Beate Berthold (German, young and without the
razzle-dazzle of a major competition success) they have located a performer
of true ‘star’ quality and charisma. The title of her record “The Young
Rachmaninov” is misleading (it ranges comprehensively from Op. 1 to Op. 36)
but the playing blazes with a distinctive brilliance and temperament. Indeed,
admirers of Martha Argerich’s volatility may well recognize a kindred spirit.
Berthold’s compromise between the early and later versions of the Second
Sonata is better than most (the original 1913 score remains the authentic answer
to the question) with retexturing and minor alterations of harmony and rhythm
accomplished within the composer’s idiom. The playing, too, is gloriously liberated
with all the force and abandon of a live performance. Competition, notably from
Van Cliburn (RCA), Horowitz (RCA), Ashkenazy (Decca) and Howard Shelley
(Hyperion) may be intense yet Berthold makes her compellingly vivid mark, contrasting
an unusual inwardness in the first extended meno mosso in the first movement
with some dizzying turns of pace and mood elsewhere. In Op. 3 the climb to the “Elegie’s”
central climax is thrillingly steep, and even the “Prelude” takes on a new lease of life in
such flamboyant hands. The ornaments at the start of “Polichinelle” are slyly extended
rather than severely clipped, the central surging melody most glamorously inflected
and it would be hard to imagine a more insinuating start to the delightful “Serenade”.
Op. 3 No. 1 is sensibly played in the first 1888 version (Kathryn Stott gives a memorable
account of the 1930 elaboration on Conifer, 3/88) and, all in all, I doubt whether early
Rachmaninov has often been played with such brio and flair; without even a hint of condescension.
Beate Berthold has produced her own record the sound is admirable and I can scarcely wait
to hear her in other repertoire or, indeed, in more Rachmaninov (the Chopin Variations
and the Moments musicaux would suit her admirably). The accompanying booklet includes
no less than three striking photographs of Berthold, but only one of Rachmaninov.

[iamcanadian]

Yeah, definitely interested in that.

Respect

[1337-pI4aNi_t]

OK, currently I am abroad, but I’ll be back on Sunday and upload it on Monday the latest.

[1337-pI4aNi_t]

Sorry for the delay, here is the download:

yousendit.com/transfer.php? … WUpMWEE9PQ

[iamcanadian]

Massive respect.

[jre58591]

@1337-pI4aNi$t

Sorry for the delay, here is the download:

yousendit.com/transfer.php? … WUpMWEE9PQ

do you have the whole disk? the whole CD sounds interesting.

[1337-pI4aNi_t]

No, unfortunately I don’t have the whole CD.

But if you want more from that peniszt, then I have another rec of Goyescas wich I could upload.

Btw, what do you think of Berthold’s Rachzon?

[iamcanadian]

I just finished listening to it. It’s alright, I guess. Doesn’t compare to any of my favourites though.