SERGEI RACHMANINOV (1873-1943)

 

24 Preludes

 

Prelude in C sharp minor Op. 3 No. 2 Lento

 

Ten Preludes Op. 23

No. 1 in F sharp minor Largo

No. 2 in B flat major Maestoso

No. 3 in D minor Tempo di minuetto

No. 4 in D major Andante cantabile

No. 5 in G minor Alla marcia

No. 6 in E flat major Andante

No. 7 in C minor Allegro

No. 8 in A flat major Allegro vivace

No. 9 in E flat minor Presto

No. 10 in G flat major Largo

 

Thirteen Preludes Op. 32

No. 1 in C major Allegro vivace

No. 2 in B flat minor Allegretto

No. 3 in E major Allegro vivace

No. 4 in E minor Allegro con brio

No. 5 in G major Moderato

No. 6 in F minor Allegro appassionato

No. 7 in F major Moderato

No. 8 in A minor Vivo

No. 9 in A major Allegro moderato

No. 10 in B minor Lento

No. 11 in B major Allegretto

No. 12 in G sharp minor Allegro

No. 13 in D flat major Grave

 

Steven Osborne - piano

 

Steven Osborne’s live performances of Rachmaninov’s preludes were greeted ecstatically by critics and audience alike: a new benchmark for performances of these works, and a new departure for this most subtle and sensitive of pianists. Now Steven has committed the complete cycle to disc - a surprisingly rare recording venture in itself. His matchless musicianship has rarely been so blazingly evident as it is here. Also apparent is his deeply individual relationship with the repertoire. This is a disc to treasure.

 

‘A catalogue of revelations on how the Russian composer’s piano music should sound … one of the finest performances I’ve ever heard from the Scottish pianist - Osborne presented a textbook demonstration of clarity of thought and purpose … a philosophy which banished notions of Rachmaninov’s music as turgid, densely textured emotional upheaval in sonic form. This was so clear it had a rare purity, wholly refreshing the music in all its parts’ (The Glasgow Herald)

 

‘Textures that on the page look impossibly convoluted emerged wonderously clear, fluent and beauteous’ (Financial Times)

 

Total Duration: 78'31

 

Hyperion CDA67700