Yuja Wang plays Rach. Rhapsody

[Haydn]

I very much enjoyed the sound and playing of Rachmaninov Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini.

Rachmaninov
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini
Piano Concerto No. 2

Yuja Wang
Mahler Chamber Orchestra
Claudio Abbado
DG, 2011

[Gregam]

Interesting! I would also recommend the E. Wild / Royal Philharmonic / Horenstein version form the mid 60s.

[GSOphile]

Originally Posted by Gregam

Interesting! I would also recommend the E. Wild / Royal Philharmonic / Horenstein version form the mid 60s.

+1
These are old performances but the Chandos remastered CDs of the four Rach PC's plus the Paganini Rhapsody are excellent. Wild's Rach 2 & 3 are exceptional - the ones I keep coming back to.

[Formerly YB-2]

For whatever reason, female pianists (Martha Argerich, Alicia de Larrocha and several younger, contemporary artists like Yang) do a wonderful (better?) job on many piano pieces. I wonder if it is their comparative lack of strength compared to a male pianist allows for a slightly "different" interpretation. Whatever, we are fortunate to live in times when there is no lack of terrific, young performers. Same can be said for the current crop of young, female sax players if you are a jazz listener.

[Bachtoven]

She has an excellent new recording of all 4 four Piano Concertos and the Rhapsody. I do wish she played the "heavier" cadenza in the 3rd Concerto, though.

[tima]

Originally Posted by Formerly YB-2

For whatever reason, female pianists (Martha Argerich, Alicia de Larrocha and several younger, contemporary artists like Yang) do a wonderful (better?) job on many piano pieces. I wonder if it is their comparative lack of strength compared to a male pianist allows for a slightly "different" interpretation. Whatever, we are fortunate to live in times when there is no lack of terrific, young performers. Same can be said for the current crop of young, female sax players if you are a jazz listener.

Interesting point you make. Quite the interpretive contrast between Wang and, say, Arthur Rubenstein.

[Formerly YB-2]

Yes. And the best part is they both 'got it right'.