Rachmaninov plays Rachmaninov Piano Concerto 3 (1939)

Rach's 3rd, as he played it and he wanted to see it performed, as other greats performed it - Horowitz, Richter, Gilels, Benno - expresses and evokes Rach's emotions! 

There is no room for "relaxing" or "moderation" in tone and color and nothing Rach composed is "relaxing music"!! This clip is extraordinary. I am also partial to Jung Lin's Rach 3, all of her Rach, Chopin and Medtner, absolutely incredible :-)

I love this clip - it is extraordinary. And I love Jung Lin's

@Bret6464 not true, the middle part of prelude in g minor is very relaxing, as is alot of the 2nd concerto where the piano plays almost solo

@urahara Yes, you are correct on the prelude in g minor :-) But Rach 2 is not "relaxing music" to me - that is pure emotion, invokes emotions, drives emotions :-)

lol dr. halsey

@sansumida ... Not all Classical is Beethoven's 5th or Mozart's 25th; nor is it all Beethoven's 9th. Try listening to Traumerie, moolight Sonata or Beethoven's fantasie sonata.

I know many pieces that are "relaxing" try Faure Pavane, Albinoni Aagio, Handels Largo. But at least appreciate the craft behind it!
Doesn't take away my point that most "classical" music is mis-understood as "relaxing".

bellissimo pianotto

I think that's called commercial appreciation not musical appreciation! Class has nothing to do with it, it's your education and whether you had enlightened music teachers who would present you music with an open ear.

Medtner Piano Concertos are similar, the two Russian composers were friends and dedicated works to each other.