Rachmaninoff
Deutsche Grammonphon, 2023
8/10
The globally revered pianist Yuja Wang is aligned with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel for 4 piano concertos the Paganini Rhapsody, recorded live at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The precise string interaction and rumbling keys of “Piano Concerto No. 1 in F sharp minor” opens the listen with waves of beauty entering the busy versus calm moments, and “Piano Concerto No. 4 in G minor” follows with a very dramatic presence of acrobatic piano playing and plenty of lively strings that allows much melody to enter the shifts in tone.
The 2nd disc belongs to “Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor” and “Piano Concerto No. 3 in minor”, where the former uses lower registers with much cautiousness amid the rich musicianship, and the latter embraces dreamy moments of intimacy via the graceful textures and fluid, complicated keys from Wang’s inimitable playing.
A powerful performance of large scale works, Wang and company make for a highly animated, respectful and expressive endeavor that will be forever timeless.
Travels well with: Randall Goosby- Violin Concertos; Isata Kanneh-Mason- Childhood Tales