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Frequently Bought Together
Product Details
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Track Listings
| 1. Prelude In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 3, No. 2 |
| 2. Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5 |
| 3. The Flight Of The Bumblebee |
| 4. Elegie, Op. 3, No. 1 |
| 5. Barcarolle, Op. 10, No. 3 |
| 6. Liebesfreud |
| 7. Liebesleid |
| 8. Melodie, Op. 3, No. 3 |
| 9. Etude-Tableau In B Minor, Op. 39, No. 4 |
| 10. Wohin? |
| 11. Polichinelle, Op. 3, No. 4 |
| 12. Polka De V.R. |
| 13. Prelude In G Minor, Op. 23, No. 5 |
| 14. Serenade, Op. 3, No. 5 |
| 15. Minuet |
| 16. Hopak |
| 17. Etude-Tableau In A Minor, Op. 39, No. 6 |
| 18. Humoresque Op. 10, No. 5 |
| 19. The Star-Spangled Banner |
Product Description
From Amazon.com
This collection of Rachmaninoff's solo piano performances relies on a mix of old and new technologies. Between 1919 and 1929, Rachmaninoff cut these 19 performances to piano rolls, which would then be played back through reproducing pianos capable of accurately re-creating the original performances through pneumatic devices that animated the rolls with living nuances and shades--a facet that differentiated the classier reproduction keyboards from the more common "player pianos." This set updates the technology with electronic devices--transparently, though expertly, replacing the pneumatics. Played back on a Bösendorfer Reproducing Piano, this collection sounds astounding, full of Rachmaninoff's lickety-quick motion and his punching intensity when striking the keys. There are 18 Rachmaninoff selections--some of them collaborations--and one gem, "The Star-Spangled Banner," taken to new places in this 1919 reading. --Andrew Bartlett
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Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
Truly Magnificent!
July 18 2004
Format:Audio CD
I just got this CD and with some trepidations sat back and listened intently from start to finish. WOW!! I was hoping that the negative reviews about mechanical and robotic playing would not be too accurate. Well those reviews were utterly absurd, these are MAGNIFICENT recordings! To paraphrase the liner notes, we can thank our lucky stars that we live in a time that technology can bring us this close to the great Rachmaninoff! From some of the reviews one could think this is some sort of computer generated music, robotic and lifeless. Nothing could be further from the truth. The humanity, soul and beauty of the playing leaps out at you. We owe Mr. Stahnke a debt of gratitude for this labor of love. This is art restoration of a high order, not technological interference. To fault this incredible "remastering" of the orginal rolls is like faulting the new digital transfers of old analog tape. It is not "interfering" with original recordings, it is restoration. Purist debates and Bose versus Stein arguments are meaningless when hearing Rachmaninoff play with this level of clarity and beauty of sound. Just like digital transfer of classic films or "cleaning" of masterpiece paintings, this is technology being used to increase our experience of the original intent, not to alter it. I have ordered the second one as well and will purchase every single issue of old piano roll masters that is restored like this. Don't hesitate, these are truly magnificent recordings that will not disappoint. Five stars without reservation!
Missing much of the nuance compared to playback on an Ampico
Dec 13 2003
Format:Audio CD
I thought this recording sounded pretty good, until I heard the earlier release "Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff: Ampico Recordings" (Polygram Records, B0000041WS). The latter is a recording of the Ampico rolls as played on an actual Ampico-equipped piano (an Estonia 9' concert grand). The former (this item) was done by scanning these same rolls into a computer, then transforming the data into a form readable by a Boesendorfer equipped with an electronic reproducing piano system. One would think the two versions would sound identical after allowing for the difference between the sound of the two pianos (an Estonia would have more sustain and more pronounced overtones than a Boesendorfer), except that perhaps the Boesendorfer electronic player version might be a bit more precise. The fact is, however, that the two versions don't sound anything alike. For a good comparison of the two, I suggest "Flight of the Bumblebee." The recording on "Window in Time" sounds positively mechanical compared with the performance on the actual Ampico. Pedal effects, accents, and dynamic contrasts that are barely audible on the robotic "Window in Time" recording come into sharp relief on the Polygram recording, which sounds like an actual pianist playing. The same is true of the other pieces. They don't sound bad on "Window in Time" but listen to the other recording and you will see that much is missing here. I'm not sure if it's the piano or the recording, but if you want to hear what Rachmaninoff probably sounded like, I recommend the other recording over "Window in Time". I just can't believe that Rachmaninoff was this mechanical-sounding, and on the Polygram recording, he wasn't. The Polygram recording sounds like a recording of a great pianist. "Window in Time" sounds like a player piano in comparison.
A wonderul achievement
Nov 13 2003
Format:Audio CD
If you have any reservations about this disc because it was "contrived" through a mechanical medium, I can honestly say that you're missing out over a non-existant issue. Yes, I'm sure that the music would have had the barest extra hint of an extra sparkle to it if Rachmaninoff could have somehow been transported forward in time to play it in person (if he could survive the culture shock). You always lose something through a recording medium. However, all of the grace, elegance and mind-blowing technic of Rachmaninoff comes through in every note of this recording. The piano used here is a magnificent instrument, brilliantly miked and it's all transferred to disc in high-quality Telarc fashion. We can always wish for a touch more, but when the quality is this high we're really just being stingy. There really isn't anything modern technology would allow that could have been done to make this disc better. What this disc and it's follow-up companion achieve is astounding, and is not to be missed by ANY serious pianist or connoseur of piano music. I listen to the two Window in Time discs more than any others in my piano collection (with Pletnev's Scarlatti a close second), and I regularly use the first and second track on this first disc as demonstration tracks for my class-A amplifier.
As good as the first disc is, though, I'd recommend for most that you consider picking up the second disc first, which is less "hit and miss" in terms of the quality of the actual pieces (in my opinion). And after all, we all know that Rachmaninoff really sparkles when he plays Chopin.
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Most recent customer reviews
seeing through a window, somewhat darkly...
I first must state that truly, for any avid Rachmaninoff collector, this is a must-have. You hear very sharply Rachmaninoff's style and his flawles, almost frightnening technique. Read more
Published on Jun 17 2003 by PianoMuse
A wonderful way to experience Rachmaninov...
This CD is a must-have for anyone who loves Rachmaninov, especially for those who are interested in hearing how he played his own music but find the sound quality of recordings... Read more
Published on Dec 7 2002 by Alex
Phenominal performances, highest recommendation
These are Rachmaninoff playing Ampico piano rolls, transcribed to computer by Wayne Stahnke, then played back on a electronically reproducing Bosendorfer and recorded acoustically... Read more
Published on Jan 13 2002 by Jeffrey Chan
Faithful Reproduction
I have recordings of actual Rachmaninoff works and the composer/pianist is said to play a piece the same way over many years once he is satisfied with the interpretation. Read more
Published on Jan 12 2002 by Concordian
Rachmaninov rendered by a robot?
This recording was very interesting to listen to. After a few hearings, however, I became suspicious and started also to listen to the audio recordings Rachmaninov made of the same... Read more
Published on Mar 6 2001 by Martin Albers
Rachmaninoff University.
This album and it's companion is an amazing example of technology used in the service of art. Having heard many other recordings of Rachmaninoff, I have to admit that it was... Read more
Published on Mar 3 2001
Great CD with almost perfect musicality
This CD is really helpful for anyone who plays the piano and wants to hear it played by a master. It not only gives an excellent of Rachmaninoff's technical ability, but it also... Read more
Published on Sep 30 2000 by pianoman2701
ENGINEERS REJOICE! MUSIC-LOVERS WEEP!
What a great technical achievement! The sound is beautifully clear, the engineering is "a gift from God," each note is limpid and well-defined. Read more
Published on Aug 26 2000 by Mr. A
Why, O Why Did I wait?
When this album was first released in Aotearoa-New Zealand it was reviewed on "Top o The Morning" (a now defunct Saturday morning radio magazine show). Read more
Published on Aug 10 2000 by Craig Forbes
The good side of aristocracy.
Rachmaninoff's playing on this cd is one of the best he ever did, in my opinion. I am always amazed by the craftsmanship of his performances considering that he did not have the... Read more
Published on Aug 1 2000 by Rodolfo Morales
Listmania!
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