Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov: The Pianist

Parnassus Records brings together the most acclaimed recordings of the legendary Sergei Rachmaninov – including the sought-after “alternate take” edition of the Second Piano Concerto conducted by Leopold Stokowski.

Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninov: The Pianist
1 Rachmaninov: Prelude in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 3 No. 2 3:41
recorded April 4, 1928

2 Prelude in F Minor, Op. 32 No. 6 1:19
recorded March 18, 1940

3 Ludwig van Beethoven: Variations on Original Theme
in C Minor, WoO 80 (selections) 7:53
recorded April 13 & May 14, 1925

4 Frédéric Chopin: Ballade No. 3 in A-flat Major, Op. 47 7:21
recorded April 13, 1925

5 Chopin: Waltz No. 7 in C-Sharp Minor, Op. 64 No. 2 3:37
6 Chopin: Waltz No. 8 in A-flat Major, Op. 64 No. 3 2:46
Recorded April 5, 1927

7 Felix Mendelssohn (arr. Rachmaninov): A Midsummer Night’s
Dream, Op. 61 - Scherzo 3:59
Recorded December 23, 1935

8 Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (arr. Rachmaninov): Tsar Saltan - Flight
of the Bumblebee 1:10
Recorded April 16, 1929

9 Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky: The Seasons, Op. 37a - Troïka 3:54
Recorded April 11, 1928

10 Carl Tausig: Nouvelle soirées de Vienne - Valse-Caprice No. 2 (after
Johann Strauß II's Man lebt nur einmal, Op. 167) 6:57
Recorded April 5, 1927

11 Fritz Kreisler (arr. Rachmaninov): Liebesleid, TN iii/5
Recorded October 25, 1921

Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18
12 I. Moderato 9:46
13 II. Adagio sostenuto 10:37
14 III. Allegro scherzando 10:47
Recorded April 10 and 13, 1929
with The Philadelphia Orchestra
Leopold Stokowski, conductor

This version, originally issued in the early 1940s by Victor, under the same
catalogue number as the original (M-58), used mostly approved alternate takes –
matrices 48963-2, -64-2, -65-2, -66-1, -67-1, -68-3, -69-2, -70-2, -71-2, & -72-1.
The decision to use alternate takes was undertaken to replace worn pressing
matrices that had been used for around a decade. It is this "alternate" version that
was also drawn upon by RCA for their various LP reissues. RCA's CD edition
reverted to the original approved takes; we are pleased to make this version
available on CD for those seeking a more complete collection of Rachmaninov's
art in the digital age.