Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.3; Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.1 Byron Janis

• Sergei Prokofiev (1891-1953): Piano Concerto No.3 in C, Op.26
• 1 1. Andante - Allegro 09:02
• 2 2. Tema con variazione 08:58
• 3 3. Allegro ma non troppo 09:04
• Sergey Vasil'yevich Rachmaninov (1873-1943): Piano Concerto No.1 in F sharp minor, Op.1
• 4 1. Vivace 12:01
• 5 2. Andante 05:37
• 6 3. Allegro vivace 07:27
• Sergei Prokofiev
• 7 Toccata, Op.11 04:13
• Robert Schumann (1810 – 1856)
• 8 3. Quasi variazioni (Variations on a Theme by Clara Wieck) 07:28
• Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)
• 9 No. 1 Andante espressivo in G 02:57
• Octavio Pinto (1890-1950): Three Scenes from Childhood
• 10 1. Run, Run 01:18
• 11 2. March 01:06
• 12 3. Hobby-Horse 00:55
• Total Runtime 01:10:06

Info for Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.3; Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.1

Although the original 3-track 35mm magnetic film sources for these early-1960s recordings are missing, the 3-channel half-inch master tapes sound quite lifelike, detailed, and dynamically varied as experienced in surround-sound. More importantly, they capture pianist Byron Janis at the peak of his artistry. His gaunt yet penetrating sonority and tremendous fingerpower come home to roost in the Prokofiev Third Concerto's big fortissimo chords and brilliant, whimsical passagework. Kyril Kondrashin's pointed, alert podium support proves a key asset, in spite of the Moscow Philharmonic's papery brass section.

I've always admired Janis' first recording of the Rachmaninov First Concerto for RCA for its coiled objectivity and stellar orchestral framework, courtesy of Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony. However, the Mercury remake stands out for Kondrashin's more pronounced yet organically conceived tempo contrasts. These in turn galvanize Janis' stylish bravura to greater heights, even when the orchestra is not playing (the first-movement cadenza, for example, yields nothing to Richter nor even to the composer's own jaw-dropping virtuosity).

The solo selections impress no less. Janis plays the Prokofiev Toccata like music rather than the empty-headed showpiece too many pianists make it out to be, while the Schumann and Mendelssohn works offer a wide degree of nuance within Janis' circumscribed color palette. If any disc can bring audiophiles and pianophiles together, this is it.“ (Jed Distler, ClassicsToday.com)

Byron Janis, piano
Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra
Kirill Kondrashin, conductor

Recorded at: Bolshoi Hall, Moscow Conservatory, Moscow: 11/6/1961 (tracks 7, 10 to 12),
8-9/6/1962 (tracks 1 to 3), 13/6/1962 (tracks 4 to 6);
Fine Recording, NYC 24/1/1964 (track 8)
Editing & 2-channel conversion performed at Emil Berliner Studios

Digitally remastered

No biography found.

Booklet for Prokofiev: Piano Concerto No.3; Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.1