FeuchtBlog

Rachmaninoff Edition (Complete Works), various performers ?????

This is one of the sets produced by Brilliant Classics as a budget series, though none of the recordings in this set would fit the “budget” category as being highest quality performances. Especially delightful were the piano concertos with Earl Wild at the piano. This is reportedly a comprehensive set of Rachmaninoff’s works, including his operas, solo piano and solo voice works and other works. As a special treat, various historic performances of Rachmaninoff were also included. This set doesn’t seem to be available any longer from Amazon.com, but for the price when it was available, was a true bargain.

Tchaikovsky String Quartets, by the Borodin String Quartet ?????

I don’t often review music that’s sat in my library for many years, but this is an exception owing to its excellence. Tchaikovsky isn’t too well known for his chamber music, yet this set of 3 string quartets is gripping, addicting, moving, and most enjoyable to listen to. The melodies are catching but never “jingo-istic”. The Borodin Quartet is flawless in their performance, but not mechanical, adept at extracting the soul of the piece. The absence of popularity of these pieces should not prevent one from giving these pieces one’s full attention for many an evening.