can't believe we have this recording. Thank you so much!!!
He was famous for his "singing" playing/touch style on the piano, this proves it. Amazing schooling (Zverev) which most people know little about. An amazing genius he was: conductor, composer, pianist, human. Rachmaninov......

Bev D

8y↑1

To hear Rachmaninoff himself play this is divine! The way he never rushes the notes and lingers over each phrase is perfect - my favourite version by far!

Iscarbin Lav

12y↑1

I love this interpretation so much. I feel like my interpretation not only changed upon hearing this but became some derivative form of this. It's great how he's playing it "wrong" according to one teacher I had...no wonder classical musicians aren't known for composing/improvising anymore.

Arthur Paris

11y↑1

best interpretation ever of this piece

clarice allemann

13y

That's how this masterpiece should be played! Great Chopin, great Rachmaninoff!

roybatty100

11y

A performance so beautiful it defies criticism; a great musical genius showing us with the greatest refinement how to approach a classic of the piano literature. Unbelievably beautiful.

juniorflip67

11y

I completely get where you're coming from! I've often pondered the exact same thing...and I regularly get tears and goosebumps listening to his music! Can you imagine being there in the audience the night he premiered his 2nd Piano Concerto or Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini? I saw Olga Kern perform these at the Phoenix Symphony, but was disappointed. They're simply not a big enough orchestra to handle these magnificent pieces. I'm saving up for his favorite venue; the Philadelphia Orchestra.

pianogirl98

16y

Simply beautiful!

Primos Sanches

9y↑4

The best of the best!

kourikage

14y

I think this confirms Rach being my fave pianist. Holy shmoly I got almost teary.

alexan128

Великолепно.Великий композитор,великий пианист.Он не играет,а размышляет и это размышление,оформленное в звуки-часть самой природы.

antimatterXXXIII

13y

This is really really first rate! One thinks of Rachmaninoff as a heavy composer, but that may be an artifact of his interpreters.

Alec S Anderson

13y

So beautiful :')

TanTzuKuang

12y

Beautiful remarkable old recording!

Graeme Storey

13y

Simply perfect.

59vlada

Doesn't sound like much, but he wasn't bored for a moment while playing it, and neither was I listening. That's appreciated. And even more those moments when eyes of eternal child opened wide in wonder (even if they won't be there next time).

Meredith Foster

11y

Of course there is that ravishing cantabile from the great Russian, however for me no pianist has ever surpassed Rubinsteins 1937 recording of this celebrated piece.

Lilly Diaz

13y

Astonishing, Well Done! (:

Philippe Gaspoz

12y

imagine being one of those incredible lucky people having assisted to one of Rachmaninoff's concerts instead of hearing an old recording like this! but even in such an old recording, I sometimes feel a tear rolling down my cheek. My god, what would I give to hear such a genius in a recital...

woodpeckerarizona

13y

Прекрасно!!!

Bau T

13y

In some place of the universe Chopin must be listenting and thinking "This is exactly the way this song was meant to be played..."

Chilouune

13y

really the best ! rachmaninof told many things through thjs nocturne .

sir9integra9jr

13y

*fangirl squeal* This is a gem! Rachmaninoff himself, playing Chopin!! SQUEEEE

patdijj457

13y

talk about evoking emotion...so exquisite !

SatchmoSings

12y

While I cannot comment on other recordings/performances of the Rhapsody, I've never heard a version of his 2nd Piano Concerto that is surpassed by the one Rachmaninoff did with Stokowski. I'm curious as to one you prefer; if it's on "Youtube" I'd appreciate your sharing it with me.

Gerard Carter

12y

Thanks for uploading this.

Owen

12y

Rachmaninoff with this piece could bring romance out of a rock. Lovely.

VikingSurfer1

13y

my favorite piece by chopin

Matt Vallejo

13y

wow, I really loved Horowitz version but this one may be even better.

juniorflip67

11y

True! Yet critics compared his stoic demeanor to a rock, though those closest to him thought him a softy (I'm paraphrasing!) Stravinski called him a "6 1/2 foot scowl"...likely jealous despite Sergei's attempts to befriend his fellow ex-pat. I'd heard that when questioned about his emotional containment, he replied that anything one wants to know about (his) feelings could be heard in (his) music. True again! His music runs the gamut from anger to whimsy...and all things in between!

Kuku Benkó

Valentina Lisita is my favorite.But this version is more beautiful.

bach5861

8y↑3

+Kuku Benkó U know, what Russian people usually say in case like this? Do not compare dick to a finger.

Salvador Martinez

12y

Though i love both of these composers i cannot believe that this isnt very good >.< not what i see in this nocturne. Are you sure this really is Mr. Rachmaninoff? because ive heard better versions from lesser pianists. (BTW it hurts me to say this also)

mcnallywacka

13y

Astounding

antimatterXXXIII

13y

@antimatterXXXIII His playing of Chopin has a very light touch without being weak.

Philippe Gaspoz

11y

You can't even call it music. In music you let your emotions flow, and modern pop-"music", well, is only commercial. I think we could call it an attempt to imitate the real music.

juniorflip67

11y

I had to chuckle because I cringe when one refers to a brilliant composition as a "song". However, I once read some yokel's comment that had compared Rachmaninoff to Jay-Z. Really??? In the case of Jay-Z, the word "song" would be an overstatement!

MacyMabelle

13y

Great musicians understand eachother and that is why Rachmaninoff can play Chopins nocturne so perfectly, almost like he knows what Chopin ment. This is touching.

davidnnjj

13y

ahh..i could cry all day

SatchmoSings

12y

Then perhaps you can tell me who you enjoy more and also list a video of a better performance.

SatchmoSings

12y

@tjtheplay Rachmaninoff sucked at playing his own pieces? You've obviously never played his recording of his 2nd Piano Concerto nor his Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini both with Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra; he's brilliant.

Yuye Kim

Oh my god......

Iscarbin Lav

12y

@tjtheplay I wouldn't say sucked. He must've had some reason for playing his pieces the way he did. Regardless, I can't really understand some of his interpretations of his own works. Ex: op 3 no 2