Rachmaninov: Étude-Tableau, Op. 33 No. 2 in C major

Zenph re-performances of Rachmaninoff playing his own works in crystal-clear sound - the third release from Zenph Studios and Sony Masterworks. Rachmaninoff Plays Rachmaninoff follows upon the success of Zenph Studios’ productions of Glenn Gould’s 1955 recording of The Goldberg Variations (2007) and Art Tatum’s Piano Starts Here (2008). This new compilation of re-performances is made from original masters that the Russian composer and pianist recorded during his lifetime. The recording features Rachmaninoff playing five of his own compositions: the Prelude in C-sharp minor; the Etudes Tableaux in C major and E-flat major, Op. 33; “Daisies”; and Moment Musical in E-flat minor, Op. 16. It also includes Rachmaninoff’s renditions of Kreisler’s Liebesleid and Liebesfreud; Rimsky-Korsakov’s Flight of the Bumblebee; Mendelssohn’s scherzo from A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Tchaikovsky’s Lullaby.

This third volume of Rachmaninov’s Victor recordings contains discs he made of his own solo compositions and arrangements from the introduction of electrical recording in 1925 to a year before his death.

The works recorded were those most in demand by the public, each piece subject to Rachmaninov’s perfectionism and the version released always the best of a number of takes (for example, the recording of his famous Prelude in C sharp minor is Take 23).

Whether it be in the 1925 recording of his transcription of Kreisler’s Liebesfreud or the February 1942 recording of the same work (in which he displays a cast iron technique only a year before his death), the sheer virtuosity, utter clarity and supreme musicianship of Rachmaninov’s playing style are undiminished.

The first two releases in this series have been acclaimed for their superb remastering.

Ward Marston, producer and audio restoration engineer

The piano music of Rachmaninov explores the registral capabilities of the modern piano in a fascinating manner. Rachmaninov’s artistic idiom is rich in references to traditional Russian music. It is, however, counter-pointed by a progressive chromaticism set in a neo-classical framework. Rachmaninov incorporates haunting melodies, thick chordal textures and distinct rhythmic patterns – all of which are held in a musical architecture marked by astounding economy.

Rachmaninov was a remarkable artist: he excelled in the fields of composing, performing and conducting. His playing indeed, along with the size of his hands, has become legendary. As a composer Rachmaninov is famous for his symphonies, concerti and instrumental music. In addition, his songs and sacred music have recently gained recognition as important areas of his oeuvre.

Sa Chen’s previous CD of the Chopin Piano Concertos on PentaTone got excellent reviews: “Sa Chen has that rare unteachable ability to tug at the heart-strings.” Classic FM Magazine. Here she plays Pictures in their original piano version and Night in Rimsky-Korsakov’s version but transcribed for piano by Konstantin N. Chernov.

The renowned Japanese violinist Hideko Udagawa collects together and performs transcriptions of Rachmaninov's works for violin and piano by Mikhailovsky, Heifetz, Kreisler, Press and Dushkin (including a never-before heard arrangement of the Sonata in G minor), accompanied by Russian pianist Konstantin Lifschitz.