Sokolov's Rach 2

[jon-nyc]

I'll give it a listen.

To be honest my favorite might be Van Cliburn.

Here's a newish recording by Hoachen Zhang, the (co) winner of the 2009 Cliburn with the Philadelphia Orchestra.

It's quite good.

Link to video

[kluurs]

@jon-nyc Sadly, YouTube will toss in commercials. If you've got access to one of the services that doesn't have commercials - even better. It is a desert island disc for me.

[Klaus]

Yep, Sokolov rocks.

Luckily he comes to my town once every year. The concert is always booked out months in advance.

[AndyD]

All wonderful players.
Ever heard a piece, not too long, maybe 5-7 pages, thought wow, I'd like to learn that; get the music, go onto youtube and after a few pleasurable hours decide on 'the best' version to copy, make a start?
Then a few weeks into practice realise there are a few sections that are deceptively difficult, perhaps beyond your level LOL.

I can't even imagine starting to learn a concerto like this.

[Klaus]

Rachmaninoff concerti are excellent for sightreading practice.

[jon-nyc]

@kluurs said in Sokolov's Rach 2:

@jon-nyc Sadly, YouTube will toss in commercials. If you've got access to one of the services that doesn't have commercials - even better. It is a desert island disc for me.

I assume you’re talking about the Sokolov? And you have the CD?

It truly is worth watching just to see his hands.

[George K]

Thanks for linking that, Jon. I've been a fan for a long time as well. I love his "Sokolov in Paris" videos. He is such a huge bear of a man, and yes, he can get the quietest parts out so well.

[Klaus]

One of my favorite Sokolov interpretations.

Link to video

The control and fresheness is incredible. I believe this is originally a piece for cembalo with two manuals, which explains the permanent crossing.

[jon-nyc]

@klaus said in Sokolov's Rach 2:

Rachmaninoff concerti are excellent for sightreading practice.

But what do you do after day 4?

[Klaus]

@jon-nyc said in Sokolov's Rach 2:

@klaus said in Sokolov's Rach 2:

Rachmaninoff concerti are excellent for sightreading practice.

But what do you do after day 4?

Spend another (less enjoyable) four days on Opus Clavicembalisticum.

Top it off with a day of "Vexations".

[George K]

Does he hit a couple of clunkers at 31:34 or so (using the YouTube timer, not the onscreen timer)?

@Klaus , yes. It's fantastic, isn't it.

I remember reading criticisms of the Prokofiev 8 in that concert. The "Agitato" was too slow, many complained. But, the deliberateness, and power was overwhelming.

That's the word: deliberate. Everything he does is like that. His fingers like pistons.

[jon-nyc]

@klaus said in Sokolov's Rach 2:

@jon-nyc said in Sokolov's Rach 2:

@klaus said in Sokolov's Rach 2:

Rachmaninoff concerti are excellent for sightreading practice.

But what do you do after day 4?

Spend another (less enjoyable) four days on Opus Clavicembalisticum.

Top it off with a day of "Vexations".

At this point in my piano journey it would be unfair to consider them sight reads.

[89th]

@jon-nyc great video thanks!

[89th]

Look, this is what The Coffee Room (TCR) looked like way back before we destroyed the place. We used to play a Rach concerto for fun!

[George K]

@89th

[jon-nyc]

@george-k said in Sokolov's Rach 2:

Does he hit a couple of clunkers at 31:34 or so (using the YouTube timer, not the onscreen timer)?

He sure does.

Remember he doesn't like to record, he likes to play in front of live audience.

[SD Tav]

A superb performance. I've always liked Sokolov's playing, especially his live performance of the Chopin Preludes. One of the best I've ever heard. I have to admit liking Rubinstein's Rach 2 even though it might lack the passion of Sokolov's performance. I think it's because it was the very first LP I collected of this work. Recorded with Reiner and the Chicago SO.