Inna Faliks, Rachmaninoff's Sonata # 2, 1913 version part 1

[alexblyakher]

I guess it is her high wrist style that gives it intense and physicality, however, I should say that it is a delight to listen to. I will have to see her live.

In any case, existence of masters like Inna, who are able to convene great music to masses is important. After all, truly, how many listeners would be able to sense all the nuances and details, though same would argue that the delight if hearing it lies in the ability to sense it. Oh, well, it is an acquired taste after all.

[iedsri]

What a great service Ms Faliks does us, to learn and perform the early version, and so well! Thanks to the uploader. And I agree with llabessej: listen to the Sultanov performance (1931 vers.) on YouTube, it is utterly different -- far less sensitive, in some respects, yet thrilling in ways this performance perhaps is not. Why can there not be room for both readings? Rachmaninoff's music is, after all, "better than it can be played."

[llabessej]

Someone might call it delicate and cerebral, would be contradicted by the person beside, who would argue that it is intensely physical and overmastering. The person one row up would likely say nothing, but would be thinking: what matters is that it is actually important, this playing is important. Listening to good music is not always a matter of being told anything in particular, other than that you are living, and that living is a matter of being at the same time in your body and out of it.

[sirin907]

Not run-of-the-mill prodigy. Real artist!