Rachmaninoff plays Tchaikovsky Les saisons, "Troika"

[samthemusicguy]

I would have loved to hear Rachmaninoff play Tchaikovsky piano concerto.....

[spiritfired]

Troika is the reason I memorize IMPOSSIBLE names like TCHAIKOVSKY and RACHMANINOFF.

[ghandiwatchers]

No offense to Rachmaninoff, he's amazing, but for this piece I really like Oborin's version. This is my favorite Season!

[abit123456]

After SVR most "performers" sound like clowns. He is so truthful, simple, logical - unbeatable...

[MrEbaby2010]

The outer sections(s) and the middle part differ greatly in terms of the tempo. I really appreciate the interpretation of Rachmaninoff on this pieces and equally respect others' rigth fo comment. there's no absolute right or wrong answers in the world of music!

[Bret6464]

@MrEbaby2010 There is Rachmaninoff! All else and all other "interpreters" have and will fade away into dust motes :-)

[AphroditeEros33]

<3 very relaxing and soothing to listen to this beautiful melody. Thank you very much for posting & sharing *^o^* many twinkling ☆s <3

[wilbur1960]

Very refreshing to hear this interpretation by perhaps the greatest pianist/composer of the 20th century.

[musicpiano14]

This piece Rachmaninoff played for Tchaikovskiy  when he was around 13 years old

[galapz]

This capturing the spirit.

Great Sergei Rachmaninoff.

[meredith21846]

As always Rachmaninov brings his unique touch and individuality to this music. Richter however is better in my opinion, he famously played this and other numbers from the seasons (Tchaikovsky) in a recorded recital from Aldeburgh in 1966. Incidentally this delightful collection of miniatures deserve more recognition

[jasonpfinch]

@meredith21846 Richter's the man: you're spot on!

[vstasov]

Priceless and exquisite.

Thank you.

[Kievest]

Rachmaninoff and Tchaikovsky looked at

the world from the inside out...not the

other way around. Thank you for posting

this archival treasure!

[aardvaark069]

Extreme beauty at 1:00 to 1:40.

[namitarelalia]

look how slowly I think it should be played - I have posted a video response

[truecrypt]

Dear namitarelalia;

You have a very long way to go before you could respond to Rachmaninoff's performance. May be you have to listen to Rachmaninoff more to get an idea "how it should be played"...

[Chuckles543]

Heres the thing namitarelalia; the way you play this piece, it seems to be a song about Spring; I won't say your interpretation is wrong, but I would say that I much prefer Rach's. It much better reflects the month of November, which is probably why Rach's interpretation of this piece is considered the authoritative one.

[caijpp]

Now, when did YouTube disable us from viewing those thumbed downed victims' last words?

[Sinfoniette]

Caijpp, there should be a "Show: ____" tab above your comment. Change it into all comments.

[caijpp]

Thank you, dear Sinfoniette.

[Lucithen]

well, if you want to read the hidden comments for some reason, just click "reply" and the comment will show up...though most of them arent worth reading.

[FERENCEFF]

Sorry. Didn't mean to offend. But I thought I would inject a little humor into the observations of others about the tempo.

[truecrypt]

No offense whatsoever! ;)

[FERENCEFF]

Rachmaninoff is among my favorite composers. This rendition of Trioka is almost surreal. It is as if he was day dreaming, caught up in a reminiscence of a half remembered event.

[FERENCEFF]

Rachmaninoff may have been a master, but this piece describes a spirited team of three horses pulling a sledge over the snow. I guess the horses were tired, or perhaps slowed down to admire the scenery.

[truecrypt]

Rachmaninoff IS THE MASTER!

The piece is much more than a description of a "spirited team of three horses" - it's about human feelings, not about horses and sledge.

Rachmaninoff played this piece for Tchaikovsky in his childhood as a Christmas gift. "Troika" is a symbol of Russia for great Russian writers and poets. Rachmaninoff turned this miniature into poetic masterpiece... You missed something very important here.

[TheMikester307]

He's a definate Romantic, he interprets a piece. Agree or disagree with the interpretation it's worth a listen. (Besides, he knew Tchaikovsky personally!)

[lilmissunshine1004]

wait...is it really played this slow?

then i've been playing it way too fast...~

[alvinkuo777]

Stupid. No wonder pianism is a dying art, and we get jokers like smith.

[gerryrains]

Primitive mikes or not, with Rachmaninoff you always get a great performance.