Vladimir Ashkenazy - Rachmaninov: Preludes, Op.3 Nos. 2, 23 & 32 (1976) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. Prélude in C sharp minor, Op.3, No.2: No. 2, Prelude in C-Sharp Minor
02. Prelude in F sharp minor, Op.23, No.1: No. 1 in F-Sharp Minor (Largo)
03. Prélude in B flat, Op.23, No.2: No. 2 in B-Flat Major (Maestoso)
04. Prelude in D minor, Op.23, No.3: No. 3 in D Minor (Tempo di minuetto)
05. Prelude in D, Op.23, No.4: No. 4 in D Major (Andante cantabile)
06. Prelude in G minor, Op.23, No.5: No. 5 in G Minor (Alla marcia)
07. Prelude in E flat, Op.23, No.6: No. 6 in E-Flat Major (Andante)
08. Prelude in C minor, Op.23, No.7: No. 7 in C Minor (Allegro)
09. Prélude in A flat, Op.23, No.8: No. 8 in A-Flat Major (Allegro vivace)
10. Prélude in E flat minor, Op.23, No.9: No. 9 in E-Flat Minor (Presto)
11. Prélude in G flat, Op.23, No.10: No. 10 in G-Flat Major (Largo)
12. Prelude in C, Op.32, No.1: No. 1 in C Major (Allegro vivace)
13. Prelude in B flat minor, Op.32, No.2: No. 2 in B-Flat Minor (Allegretto)
14. Prelude in E, Op.32, No.3: No. 3 in E Major (Allegro vivace)
15. Prelude in E minor, Op.32, No.4: No. 4 in E Minor (Allegro con brio)
16. Prelude in G, Op.32, No.5: No. 5 in G Major (Moderato)
17. Prelude in F minor, Op.32, No.6: No. 6 in F Minor (Allegro appassionato)
18. Prelude in F, Op.32, No.7: No. 7 in F Major (Moderato)
19. Prelude in A minor, Op.32, No.8: No. 8 in A Minor (Vivo)
20. Prelude in A, Op.32, No.9: No. 9 in A Major (Allegro moderato)
21. Prelude in B minor, Op.32, No.10: No. 10 in B Minor (Lento)
22. Prelude in B major, Op.32, No.11: No. 11 in B Major (Allegretto)
23. Prélude in G sharp minor, Op.32, No.12: No. 12 in G-Sharp Minor (Allegro)
24. Prelude in D flat major, Op.32, No.13: No. 13 in D-Flat Major (Grave - Allegro - Grave)

The simple fact of the matter is that, compared with all previous releases of Ashkenazy's stupendous 1974-1975 recordings of Rachmaninov's 24 Preludes, this 96kHz 24-bit remastering is vastly better. Where the original LP release was warm and lush but a tad hazy, and earlier CD releases were warm and lush but a bit hard, this CD release is warm and lush - but also clear and bright as polished crystal. Thus, while Ashkenazy's luminous lyricism, soulful sensuality, and blazing virtuosity are as manifest as ever - and few pianists have ever matched him for these qualities in this repertoire - what had previously seemed like his unfortunate tendency to overpedal in heavier textures is here shown to be a flaw in earlier releases, not his playing. More significantly, the remastering allows the colors and nuances of Ashkenazy's performances to sound more cleanly and accurately. In the hard-charging B flat major Prelude, the delicately radiant G sharp minor Prelude, even the played-to-death C sharp minor Prelude, Ashkenazy's playing seems much more subtle and dazzling - which, considering his performances have long been considered among the deepest and strongest ever recorded, is quite an achievement. Everyone who treasures Rachmaninov's music should hear this release - whether they've heard the earlier releases or not.

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