Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 & Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

She makes us hear this hoariest of Romantic war-horses afresh, as if with cleaned ears: the work emerges as almost classical, Mozartian even, in its poise and architecture. There isn't an iota... — BBC Music Magazine, May 2011, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 7th Mar 2011
Catalogue No: 4779308
Label: Deutsche Grammophon
Length: 55 minutes

Gramophone Awards

2011

Shortlisted - Concerto

Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days

Rachmaninoff: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43

Work length22:48

Yuja Wang (piano)
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Claudio Abbado

Introduction

Track length0:09

Variation 1

Track length0:20

Theme

Track length0:20

Variation 2

Track length0:19

Variation 3

Track length0:26

Variation 4

Track length0:28

Variation 5

Track length0:28

Variation 6

Track length1:03

Variation 7

Track length1:03

Variation 8

Track length0:34

Variation 9

Track length0:32

Variation 10

Track length0:54

Variation 11

Track length1:16

Variation 12

Track length1:18

Variation 13

Track length0:29

Variation 14

Track length0:45

Variation 15

Track length1:09

Variation 16

Track length1:34

Variation 17

Track length1:35

Variation 18

Track length2:45

Variation 19

Track length0:28

Variation 20

Track length0:36

Variation 21

Track length0:26

Variation 22

Track length1:47

Variation 23

Track length0:52

Variation 24

Track length1:12

Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18

Work length33:07

Yuja Wang (piano)
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Claudio Abbado

1. Moderato

Track length10:26

2. Adagio sostenuto

Track length11:15

3. Allegro scherzando

Track length11:26

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About

Wang, Gramophone’s “Young Artist of the Year” in 2009 joins the legendary maestro, Claudio Abbado on her first orchestral album and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.

To the challenging Rachmaninov Piano Concerto no. 2, she adds the daunting Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

“Whereas many pianists try to dominate this set of variations, she worked with it. This approach simply gave more punch to the places in which the piano should jump out of the texture” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette).

Reviews

May 2011

She makes us hear this hoariest of Romantic war-horses afresh, as if with cleaned ears: the work emerges as almost classical, Mozartian even, in its poise and architecture. There isn't an iota of indulgence of gratuitious emotion, yet neither is there any lack of force or genuine passion wherever required.

June 2011

This petite 24-year-old turns out to be a powerhouse! Undaunted by the challenges of this repertoire, her articulate and precise style brings a freshness and wit to these pieces without compromising the emotional breadth of Rachmaninov's music. Her intelligent crafting of the variations turns the Rhapsody into a bonus concerto, but it's her superb skill and artistry which shines through.

April 2011

The partnership of Yuja Wang and Claudio Abbado produces thoughtful and often imaginative Rachmaninov on this new disc. These performances may be as flamboyant or as theatrical as some, but there are impressive moments, and there's a fluency and lack of the mannerism inthe playing that is certainly attractive.

11th March 2011

She tackles the popular "Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No 2" with an ease that betrays her deep familiarity with the material; but it's the confident way she deals with the challenging "Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini"...that most impresses here...It's all hand-led with industrious grace by Wang.

2nd April 2011

lots of filigree play and brilliantly clear articulation

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 & Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini

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