Rachmaninov - Prélude op. 32 n°10 - Cor de Groot

Great and underrated: Cor de Groot. CdG is one of my favourite pianists. He was born in 1914 in Amsterdam and used to give concerts all over Europe already during the 1930s. In 1943 he replaced the indisposed Backhaus in a concert in Lübeck, Germany, playing Beethoven's 3rd piano concerto. He performed with such great conductors as Mengelberg and Van Beinum. His recording of the Ravel concerto (under Van Beinum) is unsurpassed. Fantastic are his Beethoven concerti (Philips) and his Chopin préludes and mazurkas. CdG had a heavy, warm, virile and very distinct sound. Philips did a very good job with most of his recordings - they sound simply amazing.
I love CdG's sound and his in-depth-interpretations. Here, with Rachmaninov, you can hear him at his best. The Mélodie is characterized by great legato lines and this almost unreal warm sound. Listen to the great rubato at the end. The Prélude is stunning. I never cared much for that piece, but when I heard this version, I had to play it. My professor used to complain that CdG is too slow after the big climax in the middle, but I just love how he develops the atmosphere in his slow tempo. I played this piece many times in concerts and I still love it - thanks to this wonderful recording.
LP remastering, original disc: Philips A00162 L

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Cor de Groot
• pianist
• piano
• Holland
• dutch
• Mengelberg
• Concertgebouw
• Beinum
• Ravel
• Chopin
• Steinway
• Rachmaninoff
• Preludes
• Philips

[paulostroff99]

A A great jewel of a performance by one of the all time great pianists.. I wonder if Rach loved it too.

B Lends new meaning to the term "Dutch treat".

Bravo! TY..

[rva25]

O, this is a real Rachmaninov! I have never heard this name.. i just hear the living voice of Rach...

[EuphoricDan]

He plays that syncopated triplet a bit quick for my liking. Other than that, w00t!

[maasai123456789]

is this one available on cd?

thanks

[suzettegm]

Wonderful warm sound, thanks for sharing this!

[NordicHealer]

Very Fine playing indeed. Also I hope people will take note how much better the Steinways sounded back in the day when Hammer felt was Not mass produced and Poor Quality as it is now. Everything is just thrown together now compared to back then. There was a depth and richness and Purity that is now lost.

[cattleman6420012000]

Very beautiful and deep interpretation.

[billyguns2]

Magnificent playing.

[lecochonbleu]

A gem, as Melomondo said. I have heard of this pianist, years ago, but not since. Now I guess I will relish discovering his playing.

[kossssss1985]

Great. Pround to be Russian.