Walter Gieseking - Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto # 2 LIVE from concert 1940 (3.mv)

Walter Gieseking with the Concertgebouw Orchestra led by Willem Mengelberg plays Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto # 2 LIVE 1940

Of the many dozen recordings of the Second that followed, we have only two by pianists whom Rachmaninoff was known to have admired. Walter Gieseking, Willem Mengelberg and the Concertgebouw - Archipel CD cover The first is a 1940 concert by Walter Gieseking with the Concertgebouw Orchestra led by Willem Mengelberg. Known to his detractors as "Mangleberg," this conductor never let a score stand in the way of his own inclination and here he liberally recasts tempos, phrasing and dynamics to produce a hugely dramatic and deeply personal reading that sidesteps much of the work's inherent subtlety to drive home the structure in a schematic but undeniably effective way (i.e.: volume and tempo increase for climaxes). Unfortunately, we have no other Gieseking Rachmaninoff recordings (other than a Mengelberg/Concertgebouw concert of the Third Concerto) for comparison, so it's unclear whether this reflects his own approach or accommodation to a strong-willed conductor. Although he adds a bravura chord to the end of the third-movement cadenza, little of his trademark poetry (nor Mengelberg's characteristic orchestral coloration) is evident. Indeed, it's hard to reconcile his heated display with the sensitive artist we know from his renowned Mozart and Debussy recordings. The boldly impassioned performance takes huge risks, and not all of them seem to work, but heard live this must have been a truly thrilling experience, and its frightening intensity for modern ears is abetted by the fierce sonics of the recording.

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[leonengard]

My teacher's teacher (my teacher during 7 years in Wien, when I was a child)...I'm really proud.

[Bret6464]

I am speechless!  Extraordinary performance, this is perfect Rach 2nd, immensely expressive and captures what was In Rach's heart when he composed it :-)))

Thank you for sharing.

[arenadri7]

Homage - 26.October 1956 WALTER GIESEKIND, immortal PIANIST and composer, died at age of 60.

[gieseking56]

I am writing to you since I am looking for a cover photo of a deleted CD of Walter Gieseking, in which Gieseking is sitting in a stool by his piano wearing his typical hat. In this cover photo, he has his legs crossed and he is smiling. The cover photo shows him in full body.

I would be grateful if you could tell me about the label and catalogue number of the deleted CD.

[weikko79]

So? Where's #3?

[kasyapa]

agreed, wholeheatrtedly.

[Ofledius]

amazing

[pianoenthusiast11]

i think gieseking is fab in rachmaninoff - no he is not note perfect, but he captures the essence and spirit of the composer.

[klingsor93]

Many notes remain unplayed. Gieseking didn't have that kind of technique.....