Voice Of Rachmaninoff
Orchid Classics, 2023
9/10
Listen to Voice Of Rachmaninoff
The cellist John-Henry Crawford is joined by the pianist Victor Santiago Asunción to celebrate the 150th anniversary of composer Sergei Rachmaninoff, where these 7 pieces illustrate his ability to sing through the powerful melodies.
“Morceaux de Fantasie, Op. 3, No. 1 Elégie - Moderato” opens the listen with the warm keys and graceful strings making for a very rich and intimate landscape of beauty, and “12 Romances, Op. 21 No. 7, Zdes Khorosho “How fair this spot” follows with gliding melodies and a very poetic demeanor that shows incredible depth between the pair.
Further on, “Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Var XVII - Andante Cantabile” is full of fluid and lush interaction between the piano and cello that’s quite dreamy, while “Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op.19” unfolds across 4 chapters that focus on mood and atmosphere via the sublime song craft.
The final track, “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op 18 “Preghiera”, is the album’s best, and radiates a profound familiarity with each other’s respective instruments that emits a stirring, emotive finish.
This is Crawford’s 3rd installment of Rachmaninoff’s work, and muck like the first 2, it exemplifies his inimitable cello prowess, and Asunción’s piano playing makes an indelible impression, too.
Travels well with: John-Henry Crawford- Corazón; Chelsea Guo- Chopin In My Voice