Rachmaninoff plays Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini iii.

[JazzAnswer99]

This is an authoritative recording by the composer, Rachmaninoff. A great pianist and interpreter of his own work.

I would like to recommend another recording by pianist Mieczyslaw Munz that has been released on Americus Records: "The Art of Mieczyslaw Munz". It was recorded live in concert in 1941. Rachmaninoff has been quoted as saying that he thought Munz performed his Rhapsody better than he did. All I can say is that I find Munz's performance to be absolutely amazing and deeply beautiful.

[tchowmusic]

I find it sad that the first part has 536 thousand views, the second has 51 thousand, and this one has a mere 18 thousand... People just don't seem to have the patience to listen to these amazing works any more...

[idolfan9495]

Listening to Rachmaninoff play this is like listening to it for the first time. Brilliant.

[emmahasnerdytiemz]

which number is it that starts at ~4:03?

They're all stunning, obviously. Such subtlety and perversion and passion :D

[Jazzanswer]

You must hear the performance of this masterwork by the pianist Mieczyslaw Munz.

[djstkora]

I love that ending..... the piano has the last word....... xD

[Alexjr1543]

My hands are almost as big as his, and I could never play nearly that well.

All I have to say is that Rachmaninoff is awesome. Both as a composer and pianist. He is one reason I still take piano lessons.

[billace90]

Incredible performance by the man himself! Five stars!! Thanks for posting.

[cyberlarry7]

What a difference... Rachmaninoff compared to anyone else on this piece. His playing... it's like flowing water... unbelievable it's so smooth & effortless when the music comes through him. And you can see how others go bonkers in their interpretations and how wrongheaded they are. Just trying to sound different & exaggerating or tossing away some passages. This performance is amazing.

[JunsukAhn2]

WOW. Listen to 2:50 to 2:55 his interpretation of those notes are amazing!

I have seen an amazing pianist win the first prize in Louisiana International, but Rach's music just sounds much more live.

Also, he doesn't get out of control at 4:38 to 4:45 like mosts pianists do...

[SergeiPinocchio]

Rachmaninov's wife, Natalia, once attended a concert by Byron Janis. She heard of his awesome technique. Janis was very young and very brilliant. He's now 80 years old and has the best interpretation of the Third I have ever heard. He outplays Rachmaninov, himself.

[LordTaylorK]

score:Rachmaninoff:1  Horowitz:0

[harryg94]

There's something about Rachmaninoff's playing that makes the music seem much more alive.

[TomBandfield]

That's cause he had such huge hands, hardly anyone else can play his pieces like he could. Apparently his hands were able to span over an octave and a half. He's also just a fucking genius. :-)

[harryg94]

Good point. He had huge hands that could span 13 notes afaik. Makes it much easier to flourish in his work when your not trying to stretch and stretch ;)

[rvn10rvn17]

look at Lisitsa playing Rach's Etude op. 39 no 6. She managed to play it well but she still struggles to overcome the wide-ranged notes.. Maybe, with his big hands, it's just like an octave-move... I love most of his works.. genius..

[jepy82]

Who play?

It's an old recording, maybe rachmaninov himself?

[ehabms07]

what do you think??

the title say:"Rachmaninoff plays Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini"

it's rachmaninoff himself playin

[porahi]

Jajaja! Sorry jepy82 but your question...