Friday, January 11, 2019

RAd’s Playlist: Zoltán Kocsis I Rachmaninoff Complete Works for Piano and Orchestra


The late Hungarian pianist/conductor Zoltán Kocsis’ recordings of the four piano concertos of Sergei Rachmaninoff with the San Francisco Symphony under the baton of Edo de Waart were my introduction to these warhorse pieces. To my ears, they are the definitive versions and the other recordings out there, I just consider as various interpretations.

Pianist Zoltán Kocsis

This is why I felt immense sadness when I learned about Kocsis’ death back in November 2016. Kocsis may not be a household name to most music enthusiasts here. But I think that it is very likey they’ve encountered his sublime transcription of Rachmaninoff’s Vocalise for the solo piano.

Later this month, pianist Raul Sunico will have another go at performing the four Rachmaninoff piano concertos in just one night. Sunico made waves when he became the first in the world to ever attempt and achieve this feat back in 2003. This means that it’s time once again to put Kocsis’ recordings for some spins in preparation for this upcoming concert.


This 2 disc gem not only includes Rachmaninoff's four piano concertos, (Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor, Op. 1, Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30, Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor, Op. 40) but also the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, and his arrangement of Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14.

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