Here is Rachmaninoff (1873-1943) himself playing the first movement (Moderato) from his second piano concerto.
Written between 1900 and 1901, Rachmaninoff slaved over its composition for many hours a day for more than half a year. It had been the first large work he had created since his poorly received first piano concerto four years earlier.
The result, however, remains one of Rachmaninoff’s most well-known and beloved works that is a pillar in today’s piano repertoire. The concerto was first performed in its entirety on October 27, 1901 in Moscow.
This record collection was recorded i
...n 1929 by RCA victor with Rachmaninoff’s favorite orchestra; the Philadelphia Orchestra. Leopold Stokowski (1882-1977) is conducting. I personally own the records, which are in public domain, and digitally restored the audio.
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