Sergej Rachmaninoff: 24 Preludes (Ges.-Aufn.) auf CD

Mit Hang zur Melancholie
Gegen Ende des 19. und zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts war das Klavierprélude bereits ein fest etabliertes Genre. Dem Vorbild Chopins folgend, war es häufig in einem Zyklus von 24 Werken in allen Dur- und Molltonarten gruppiert. Dabei konnte ein Prélude die Funktion einer eleganten musikalischen Visitenkarte bei einer privaten Soiree bis hin zu einer umjubelten Zugabe bei großen öffentlichen Konzerten haben. Sergei Rachmaninows 24 Préludes gehören hauptsächlich dem letzteren Typus an. Steven Osborne schätzt an Rachmaninow dessen Hang zur Melancholie: »Ich verehre Rachmaninows Musik – nur wenige Komponisten sprechen mich so direkt an.«

Product-Information:

‘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)

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.

Rezensionen

'Outstanding Rachmaninov playing of acute perception, discretion and poetic sensibility, limpid, powerful and luminous in equal measure' (BBC Music Magazine)

'There are few pianists who offer such range and depth of palette: not even Ashkenazy's seminal reading … This has award-winner written all over it' (Gramophone)

'This is an absolutely superb disc, one of the very finest integral sets of these works I have ever heard. Osborne's playing is magnificent throughout … This issue simply has to go to the top of the recommended list' (Musical Opinion)

'This astonishingly good full set recording … Osborne's musicality is exquisite, addictive and sensational. This is a disc you'll want to listen to over and over again' (The Scotsman)