Tharaud plays Rachmaninov

01. Alexander Vedernikov – Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 I. Moderato
02. Alexander Vedernikov – Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 II. Adagio sostenuto
03. Alexander Vedernikov – Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18 III. Allegro scherzando
04. Alexandre Tharaud – 5 Morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3 No. 1, élégie
05. Alexandre Tharaud – 5 Morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3 No. 2, Prélude
06. Alexandre Tharaud – 5 Morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3 No. 3, Mélodie
07. Alexandre Tharaud – 5 Morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3 No. 4, Polichinelle
08. Alexandre Tharaud – 5 Morceaux de fantaisie, op. 3 No. 5, Sérénade
09. Alexandre Tharaud – 14 Romances, op. 34 No. 14, Vocalise
10. Alexander Melnikov – 2 Pieces for 6 Hands, TN ii22 No. 2, Romance
11. Alexander Melnikov – 2 Pieces for 6 Hands, TN ii22 No. 1, Waltz

French star pianist Alexandre Tharaud takes on the blockbuster ‘Rach 2’ concerto in a thrilling performance with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra and Russian maestro Alexander Vedernikov. It is coupled with more intimate Rachmaninov for piano six-hands (for which Alexandre is flanked by Alexander Melnikov and Aleksandar Madžar) and the icing on the cake: a sublime Vocalise in the original version for voice and piano, with pure-voiced French soprano Sabine Devieilhe.

Alexandre Tharaud’s recorded catalogue is large and eclectic, but this is the first time he has devoted an entire album to Russian repertoire – specifically to the music of Sergei Rachmaninov. “I was still quite young when I first played this concerto,” explains Tharaud. “I adored it … Rachmaninov’s virtuosity really appeals to young pianists. Today, of course I’m still enthralled by the concerto’s virtuosity, but now I’m more interested in its dark shadows: the sense of despair, of staring into the abyss. My interpretation of Rachmaninov has changed a lot over the years.”