Arcadi Volodos, Berliner Philharmoniker, Seiji Ozawa – Works by Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninoff (2003) [SACD / Sony Classical – SH 93067]

Title: Arcadi Volodos, Berliner Philharmoniker, Seiji Ozawa – Works by Tchaikovsky & Rachmaninoff (2003)
Genre: Classical
Format: MCH SACD ISO + DSF DSD64 + Hi-Res FLAC

Arcadi Volodos delivers a strikingly revisionist 2003 recording of Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23, with the Berlin Philharmonic under Seiji Ozawa, eschewing the expected high-powered romanticism for a delicate, crystal-clear interpretation that emphasizes emotional depth in quiet moments and subtle tempo variations, aligning with the lighter pianos of Tchaikovsky’s era. Known for his virtuosic Liszt performances and complex transcriptions, Volodos avoids bombast, navigating technical challenges with effortless clarity and breathing new life into the concerto’s modulations and arcs. The album’s seven Rachmaninov encores showcase his formidable technique with a fuller, more expansive fragrance, displaying a lightness and finesse that complement the concerto’s restrained approach. Sony’s exceptional engineering in the Berlin Philharmonie captures every detail of Volodos’ passagework, making this a highly recommended recording for those seeking a fresh take on this iconic concerto.

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Tracklist:

01. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 – I. Allegro non troppo e molto maestoso
02. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 – II. Andantino
03. Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 – III. Allegro con fuoco
04. Rachmaninoff: Prélude in G-flat Major, Op. 23 No. 10
05. Rachmaninoff: Moment Musical in E-flat Minor, Op. 16 No. 2
06. Rachmaninoff: Daisies, Op. 38 No. 3
07. Rachmaninoff: Prélude in G Major, Op. 32 No. 5
08. Rachmaninoff: Oriental Sketch
09. Rachmaninoff: Mélodie in E Major, Op. 3 No. 3
10. Rachmaninoff/Volodos: Concert paraphrase on “Polka italienne”

Personnel:

Arcadi Volodos – piano
Berliner Philharmoniker – Conducted by Seiji Ozawa (on “1-3”)

Note:

Tchaikovsky – Recorded live in performance on June 12-14, 2002 at the Philharmonie, Berlin.
Rachmaninoff – Recorded on April 25-28, 2003 at the Scoring Stage, Berlin.
Produced by Thomas Frost. This recording was mastered using DSD technology.

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