Sergei Rachmaninov felt compelled to compose “because I must give expression to my feelings, just as I talk to give utterance to my thoughts”. His fame as a pianist initially overshadowed his stature as a composer, but it is the emotional intensity and lyrical expressiveness of scores such as the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini that we appreciate today. The youthful and sweepingly extrovert First Piano Concerto has hints of Tchaikovsky, while the marvellous Fourth Piano Concerto is truly emblematic of Rachmaninov’s glorious final creative period.

This VOX Audiophile Edition recording was made in 1976 and 1977. The recording of Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini was first released on vinyl in 1977, and the piano concerto recordings were first released in 1978 as part of Rachmaninov’s complete works for piano and orchestra. They were subsequently reissued on CD in 1990 (VoxBox CDX-5008).

Internationally acclaimed conductor Leonard Slatkin has received not fewer than six GRAMMY-awards as well as numerous other prizes and has conducted virtually all the leading orchestras in the world.

Abbey Simon was a pianist in the great Romantic tradition. His repertoire centered on Chopin, Schumann, Rachmaninov and Ravel, and he had a virtuoso technique which he employed with effortless ease coupled with a smooth, clear sound.

The Elite Recordings for VOX by legendary producers Marc Aubort and Joanna Nickrenz are considered by audiophiles to be amongst the finest sounding examples of orchestral recordings. This newly restored edition of legendary sessions will be eagerly sought out by audiophile collectors and the many fans of these vibrant and now classic performances.