Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2

I just purchased all of Rachmaninoff's Piano Concertos on CD! I am SO happy!!!!!!:toothygrin:

Is Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 not the best concerto in the world?!?!?

That's an odd view on things...

but anyway, yes, having heard this performed live..I must say that it is up there in the repetoire.

The question is phrased poorly.

Yes, indeed it is not. (I accidentally selected no above - stupid wording!)

Well, at least I don't think it's up to me to decide what the best concerto is. Perhaps I should've answered maybe.

I didn't vote at all..go figure.

I just made it for fun...plus the fact I am so excited and happy to have the CD set. lol

I picked a response that was not what I didn't want to not end up not picking. So I undid it.

By the way, what CD set did you get? There can be huge differences in the quality of the interpretations. My favorite complete set is Stephen Hough with the Dallas symphony.

I personally went with Rachmaninoff playing it himself.

I think that is a great recording - not my personal favorite though.

1. i dont get the question.

2. congrats! you got new CDs!

3. its not the best. its one of the best.

Ravel and Poulenc concertos baybay!

You're definitely not the best concerto in the world.

It's awesome. Not sure about the best in the world.

Rachmaninoff is cool.

I don't think its the best, I think its one of the best.

I'm pretty meh about it. Maybe a bit too old-fashioned for my tastes. But either way, it be certainly not the best piano concerto in the world.

I've listened to a few versions of this piece and i notice in the famous adagio movement in C# minor that the recording of Rachmaninov himself performing it is faster then most modern interpretations...

Good concerto, but not THE best, I prefer Rach 3 and 4.

Speaking of the emotional impact of the piece, it depends on the performer and orchestra at the moment. Speaking for the actual composition on paper, it is my favourite piano concerto after Beethoven's fourth. The explosive and dense harmonies of Rachmaninov always move me to imagination and powerful thoughts, especially the second concerto.

rachmaninoff is awesome.

that fact just struck me last week.

a little late, but at least i finally realized.

The sad part is the number of people who are all "ga ga" over Rachmaninov because of this concerto, thinking he's some sort of genius because of it... and not really knowing the REAL masterpieces he wrote.

Vespers this part is quoted in the Symphonic dances

Symphonic Dances

The symphonic dances is the last work, if I recall correctly, that Rachmaninov completed (it is part of the great trio of "final works" he wrote: Piano concerto no.4, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, and Symphonic Dances).

In that final movement, there is a very touching "adieu" gesture. Listen to the whole work (the three movements) and you will hear it.

It is GREAT but I cannot in good conscience claim it is the BEST