Rachmaninoff Plays Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (1934)

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3 ай бұрын

Sergei Rachmaninoff
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43
Sergei Rachmaninoff, pianist
Leopold Stokowski, conductor
The Philadelphia Orchestra
Recorded on December 24, 1934
in The Trinity Studio - Camden, NJ
We have visited this recording several times, including one effort made just last year, but new techniques have suggested we should revisit it again. This time with a fuller, and more comprehensive, analysis.
The first thing we noticed was that the Camden engineers probably used every monk curtain in the Trinity Studio, along with carpeting . It is very likely that the rehearsals involved so much dynamic range that measures had to taken to bring it all under control. Especially Rachmaninoff's playing. It appears they decided to record the piano with the top down, and it is also possible that they employed a sonic blanket over the instrument.
It turned out to be a big selling album for the label after its introduction on a national radio broadcast in January of 1935, and American Red Seal was out to gain a reputation for world class sonic quality.
With the composer playing and Leopold Stokowski, whose whimsical approach to the score is as unforgettable as it unique, make it truly a recording for the ages.
Mastered at the original level for this edition there is excellent dynamic range and bandwidth.
Digital Transfer from analogue elements (1986): Ward Marston
Field acoustic remix and noise restoration (2024): Paul Howard - The Yucaipa Studio
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Пікірлер: 11

@howardfowler2255 2 ай бұрын

It is hard to believe this was recorded some ninty years ago. Even with the hiss and the limited frequency range it still impresses. The composers sensitivity and effortless virtuosity are well supported by the orchestra and conductor. A most satisfying restoration of a cherished historic recording!

@leestamm3187 2 ай бұрын

Best yet on this one. Thanks a bunch. As noted, his powerful strike sometimes overtaxed the available technology. I'm grateful for your ongoing work in making his recordings even more listenable.

@mattm9042 3 ай бұрын

Stunning beyond words

@larshenrikrn4105 3 ай бұрын

Very interesting. This show a lot of influence from early popular and jazz music. You would never imagine this is the case on a modern recording

@davidmann4315 3 ай бұрын

When Rachmaninoff was in NY I believe he would go up to Harlem to hear Art Tatum. Probably the two greatest pianists of the time in the same nightclub!

@leestamm3187 2 ай бұрын

@@davidmann4315 Yes, it's well documented that he was a fan of Tatum, as well as several other jazz pianists of that era.

@irvingsteinberg 3 ай бұрын

Bravo. Love this performance. Now, if only we had an early recorded performance of the symphonic dances from when it was premiered. Possibly a radio broadcast or archival recording exists? Keep up the wonderful work.

@5kyfall2017 2 ай бұрын

We are so lucky to hear Rachmaninoff play his own works and others (think of his Chopin recordings). Probably one of the earliest and greatest composers ever put on a record. Just imagine if recording came out just a century prior, we would have heard the likes of Beethoven, Chopin. We live in a period of 100 years out of all human history where we can listen to recorded sound, what a privilege.

@RS3DArchive Ай бұрын

Absolutely agree. I feel blessed to hear these great artists who lived and died before we were even around. This what attracted me to sound engineering to begin with.