Rachmaninoff: Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, op. 36, Original 1913 Version, Mvt. 1

[ALPRAS]

Im a huge Rachmaninoff fan, but to be honest, I prefer much more the rev vers. This version have lots of uninteressing parts, and (like other Rach pieces) Rach wrote it for his hands, making this sonata almost impossible to play for most of the pianist. Even Ponti cant play it well - He makes mistakes all over the piece. The 2nd v. is much more pianistic and acessible and interesting to other pianists. Not saying that this version is bad, I like it very much, but I find the 2nd much interesting

[darkblueangel1956]

Strabiliante Michel Ponti ! Sono rimasto incuriosito la prima volta che ho sentito questo artista eseguire un gruppo di Studi di Charles Alkan e mi aveva lasciato a bocca aperta ! Molto bella e molto vasta la sua gamma sonora, espressivo con buon gusto e intelligenza ! Non so se ha inciso la Prima sonata op. 28 !!! Spero tanto di si !!!!

[kaidaniev]

Happy to listen again to this pianist I admire so much ! Do some one know about his legendary performances of Rachmaninov's music (label Vox Box ?. As far as I know, they have never been reissued on CD. Too bad...

[pianovideo]

@kaidaniev The studio recording is now available on CD VoxBox

[kaidaniev]

@pianovideo Thank you for the information !

[Refamire30]

My dear Michael Ponti!! But his first studio recording is so much better.

[morvensky]

The revised is a drag

[lisztaholic]

Titanic playing by Michael Ponti. I have always admired the bravura and strength that this pianist brings to the keyboard. I'm glad this is the original Op.36, which is so much grander than the revised version.

[sagalat]

It's such a Massive Apocalypse, I love it, but keep on apologizing for prefering Horowirz'