
Unlimited Streaming
Listen to this album in high quality now on our apps
Start my trial period and start listening to this albumEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
SubscribeEnjoy this album on Qobuz apps with your subscription
Digital Download
Purchase and download this album in a wide variety of formats depending on your needs.
There is no shortage of recordings of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, one of the most popular pieces in the classical repertory ever since its slow-movement clarinet solo underlaid the quintessence of cinematic romance, Brief Encounter. But this one, by pianist Alexandre Tharaud (he may not be as well known as the decision to omit his first name in the graphics would presume, but he's getting there), is worth strong consideration. It's not blood-and-thunder Rachmaninov, so those seeking that in the C minor concerto might look elsewhere. But there's absolute clarity throughout, and with that an attractively variable dialogue with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Alexander Vedernikov, one of the unsung Russian conductors who are having the times of their lives in Britain these days. Perhaps the highlight of the album is the early set of Cinq Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3, in which Tharaud's way with a restrained but involving narrative thread comes to the fore. Sample the character piece "Polichinelle" in F sharp minor. The version of the Vocalise, Op. 34, here is unremarkable, and the two Pieces for six hands at the end are not the virtuoso showpieces that might be imagined, but rather salon novelties. So the program peters out somewhat. But those in search of an elegant C minor concerto or near-definitive Cinq Morceaux de fantaisie should hear this release.
© TiVo
You are currently listening to samples.
Listen to over 100 million songs with an unlimited streaming plan.
Listen to this playlist and more than 100 million songs with our unlimited streaming plans.
From $10.83/month

Sergei Rachmaninoff, Composer - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist - Alexander Vedernikov, Conductor
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company A Warner Classics/Erato release, ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Composer - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist - Alexander Vedernikov, Conductor
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Sergei Rachmaninoff, Composer - Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchestra - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist - Alexander Vedernikov, Conductor
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Sergei Rachmaninov, Composer - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company A Warner Classics/Erato release, ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited
Sergei Rachmaninov, Composer - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Sergei Rachmaninov, Composer - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Sergei Rachmaninov, Composer - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Sergei Rachmaninov, Composer - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Sergei Rachmaninov, Composer - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist - Sabine Devieilhe, Soprano Vocals, FeaturedArtist
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Aleksandar Madzar, Piano, FeaturedArtist - Sergei Rachmaninoff, Composer - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist - Alexander Melnikov, Piano, FeaturedArtist
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Aleksandar Madzar, Piano, FeaturedArtist - Sergei Rachmaninoff, Composer - Alexandre Tharaud, Piano, MainArtist - Alexander Melnikov, Piano, FeaturedArtist
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Album Description
There is no shortage of recordings of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18, one of the most popular pieces in the classical repertory ever since its slow-movement clarinet solo underlaid the quintessence of cinematic romance, Brief Encounter. But this one, by pianist Alexandre Tharaud (he may not be as well known as the decision to omit his first name in the graphics would presume, but he's getting there), is worth strong consideration. It's not blood-and-thunder Rachmaninov, so those seeking that in the C minor concerto might look elsewhere. But there's absolute clarity throughout, and with that an attractively variable dialogue with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra under Alexander Vedernikov, one of the unsung Russian conductors who are having the times of their lives in Britain these days. Perhaps the highlight of the album is the early set of Cinq Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3, in which Tharaud's way with a restrained but involving narrative thread comes to the fore. Sample the character piece "Polichinelle" in F sharp minor. The version of the Vocalise, Op. 34, here is unremarkable, and the two Pieces for six hands at the end are not the virtuoso showpieces that might be imagined, but rather salon novelties. So the program peters out somewhat. But those in search of an elegant C minor concerto or near-definitive Cinq Morceaux de fantaisie should hear this release.
© TiVo
About the album
- 1 disc(s) - 11 track(s)
- Total length: 01:06:36
- Main artists: Alexandre Tharaud
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: Erato - Warner Classics
- Genre: Classical
-
16-Bit CD Quality 44.1 kHz - Stereo
© 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2016 Parlophone Records Limited, a Warner Music Group Company
Distinctions:
Improve album information
Why buy on Qobuz?
-
Stream or download your music
Buy an album or an individual track. Or listen to our entire catalog with our high-quality unlimited streaming subscriptions.
-
Zero DRM
The downloaded files belong to you, without any usage limit. You can download them as many times as you like.
-
Choose the format best suited for you
Download your purchases in a wide variety of formats (FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF...) depending on your needs.
-
Listen to your purchases on our apps
Download the Qobuz apps for smartphones, tablets, and computers, and listen to your purchases wherever you go.