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Rachmaninoff, Preludes

Discussion in 'Submission Room' started by Vladimir Oppenheim, Oct 9, 2016.

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  1. Vladimir Oppenheim

    Vladimir Oppenheim Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hello,
    I would like to present my recording of 2 of Rachmaninoff's preludes,
    Thanks for listening,

    Vladimir
     

    Attached Files:

    Vladimir Oppenheim, Oct 9, 2016
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  2. Francois de Larrard

    Francois de Larrard Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hello Vladimir,
    Beautiful renditions ! I am not very familiar with Rachmaninov music, and I was expecting feedback from other fellows, including one whose avatar is Rachfan :)
    For me, these are very difficult pieces played with maestria. Perhaps the first one could be played more fluently (I've heard some brake shots while there wasn't in the previous versions I listened as e.g. Ashkenazy's). The second one seems better mastered. In terms of style, it looks very much Russian post-romantic, which is of course what is expected for this composer.
    Well, let's wait for some more days, but if there are no more reactions, I will upload them. Best regards, and thank you to keep posting recordings in spite of the very low current attendance of PS...
     
    Francois de Larrard, Nov 3, 2016
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  3. Vladimir Oppenheim

    Vladimir Oppenheim Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hi Francois,
    Thanks, I appreciate you listening and commenting on my recordings! Yes, # 1 has some artificial "interruptions" in phrasing; I will listen to Ashkenazy, he is probably playing it better :)
    Just rememberd a story about how dissatisfied Rachmaninoff himself was with his own compositions. His family members knew this trait and as a form of joke make him sign a paper that he is pleased with certain composition and will not attempt to modify or edit it later.
    I also wanted to ask you if you have any idea why am I having a problem downoading 2 Scriabin's pieces; these files are mp3 perfect in size, however I receive an error message saying that server can't process them as they are too large? The largest is 4.24 MB.
    Thanks & best regards,
    Vladimir
     
    Vladimir Oppenheim, Nov 4, 2016
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  4. jordanr

    jordanr Administrator Staff Member

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    Which pieces are you trying to download? Please post link?
     
    jordanr, Nov 4, 2016
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  5. andrew

    andrew Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist

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    I thought there were moments of hesitancy in both, tbh. A pity because for me it affected the level of authority in the playing (which is generally good playing with a few small stumbles - and these are of course pieces of high difficulty) and also the flow. I would still favour uploading them; the playing certainly merits it.
     
    andrew, Nov 5, 2016
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  6. Rachfan

    Rachfan Active Member Piano Society Artist

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    Hi Vladimir,

    Over the years I've recorded about 10 Rachmaninoff Preludes from both Op. 23 and Op. 32 combined. Some of them are here listed under the Artist and also Composer headings. My playing and recordings are "old school". I liked your Op. 32 No. 1 a lot. It's a real scramble to play all of the notes there! Also you did a fine job in your effort to sound the melodic line throughout. I've not played Op. 23 No. 2, but enjoyed hearing your presentation. It's a very demanding work indeed, but you played it very well in my opinion. That piece is not one in my own repertoire.

    David :)
     
    Rachfan, Nov 13, 2016
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  7. Vladimir Oppenheim

    Vladimir Oppenheim Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hi David,
    Yes, Rachmaninoff's music is often challenging for a pianist and at the same time it's rewarding to play it! Despite obvious difficulties in playing it I found that Rachmaninoff's writing is so pianistic & comfortable for hands that it makes it easier to master the music. Thanks for your feedback.
    Best regards :)
    Vladimir
     
    Vladimir Oppenheim, Nov 22, 2016
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  8. Rachfan

    Rachfan Active Member Piano Society Artist

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    Hi Vladimir,

    I agree with you. If we play any Rachmaninoff prelude with all its complexities and beauty very well, he will always reward us.

    Best regards,
    David
     
    Rachfan, Nov 24, 2016
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  9. Francois de Larrard

    Francois de Larrard Administrator Staff Member Piano Society Artist Trusted Member

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    Hello Vladimir,
    I am putting the preludes on the site. By the way, I've just seen that you haven't updated your page. As you may have noted, most artists display the list of their recordings in their own page, so that anyone coming to PS can have an easy access to your recordings. Otherwise he has to use the search engine. The updating of the artists page cannot be done by administrators like me but only by the artists themself, according to the rules proposed by Richard.
     
    Francois de Larrard, Dec 18, 2016
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