Rach 3

February 26, 2007 8:38 PM

Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No.3, in D minor, with Martha Argerich on piano. Many know the Rach 3 from the movie Shine. [Via C&L.]
posted by homunculus (26 comments total)

1st mov Pt.1
1st mov Pt.2
2nd mov Pt.1
2nd mov Pt.2
3rd mov Pt.1
3rd mov Pt.2
posted by homunculus at 8:40 PM on February 26, 2007

Rachmaninov had big hands.
posted by homunculus at 8:41 PM on February 26, 2007 [4 favorites]

Rach rocks. That is all.
posted by wendell at 8:43 PM on February 26, 2007

Argerich is a total PILF.
posted by phaedon at 8:44 PM on February 26, 2007 [2 favorites]

Bah. It's no Cheap Trick.
posted by sourwookie at 8:47 PM on February 26, 2007

Argerich is a total PILF.

But she's no Nora.
posted by homunculus at 9:04 PM on February 26, 2007

Whatever, I could do that.

To be honest, there are certain things I hear (Rachmaninoff, DeBussy, Beethoven) that remind me that Classical music is kind of badass and not all Bach (I know I know. Bach is good. Whatever. Maybe one day I'll get it.). I still can't understand why I don't take these moments and use them to go get more into classical music.
posted by shmegegge at 9:21 PM on February 26, 2007

Here's Vladimir Horowitz also playing the Rachmaninoff 3rd piano concerto, at age 75!

first movement

second movement

third movement
posted by gyc at 9:29 PM on February 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

I hope the real classical fans out there don't hang me for this, but am I the only one who Really likes the 1963 Vladimir Ashkenazy recording of the Rach 3? It's so... noble. (This is what everyone says about it, but I really believe it.) Argerich really rips it up, which is exciting, but somehow I'd rather listen to the Ashkenazy over and over.
posted by sappidus at 9:40 PM on February 26, 2007

(Oh, and I didn't mean to sound unappreciative. Great find.)
posted by sappidus at 9:59 PM on February 26, 2007

Man, I love the way that begins. Actually, I liked all of it, thanks.
posted by toma at 10:32 PM on February 26, 2007

I like this atypical youtube comment:

I am 75 years old and I have heard many of the old masters play this, including the composer himself, but this is the best that I have ever heard.
posted by vacapinta at 10:32 PM on February 26, 2007 [1 favorite]

Ashkenazy does everything right on the piano. Beethoven, Rachmaninov, Chopin...
posted by vernondalhart at 10:33 PM on February 26, 2007

If you enjoyed that, you'll enjoy this. Two amazing CDs for around $12 (used).
posted by milnak at 10:37 PM on February 26, 2007

homunculus, thank you sir. Blew me away. And thanks gyc. Horowitz is a fav of mine. Here's Sean Bennett at age 14.
posted by sluglicker at 10:38 PM on February 26, 2007

It's a leftover from something a TV comedian did when I was like 5 years old, but I still can't look at the name "Ashkenazy" without getting giggly. Can't we just call him something like "Ash-V"? (Okay, I'll go back to my Weird Al records now)
posted by wendell at 10:47 PM on February 26, 2007

Can't we just call him something like "Ash-V"?

How about Ash-C?
posted by homunculus at 11:57 PM on February 26, 2007

Can't. Look. Away.
Transfixed.
OMG.
posted by disillusioned at 1:21 AM on February 27, 2007

This is amazing, thanks.
posted by grapefruitmoon at 1:31 AM on February 27, 2007

Thanks for the hilarious big hands link homonculus.
posted by BrotherCaine at 2:19 AM on February 27, 2007

Argerich is a total PILF.

Hit Google Images and you'll see she's not that young anymore -- I think the performance we're looking at was in the late '70s or early '80s -- but if anything, she's even more strikingly attractive -- ah, that fey smile! -- in her mature years. So...seconded heartily.
posted by pax digita at 4:57 AM on February 27, 2007

The suspected reason for his height and his large hand span (arachnodactyly) is Marfan syndrome.
posted by i_am_a_Jedi at 5:11 AM on February 27, 2007

Perhaps you'd like to follow along in the score.
posted by Wolfdog at 5:21 AM on February 27, 2007

Hey, wasn't Rachmaninoff one of the Raspberries?
posted by breezeway at 8:31 AM on February 27, 2007

I have some recordings of Argerich doing Chopin and Bach, and I find them too ... well, "heavy" is the word that comes to mind. But I guess that would work for Rachmaninoff.

No mistake, she's a fine pianist. Just, well, a little less caffeine, maybe.
posted by lodurr at 9:45 AM on February 27, 2007

Try Arcadi Volodos' recording of the Rach 3. At the end of the thrid movement, if you listen closely, you can hear a snarfing sound as he eats Martha Argerich whole and then a loud WHOOSH! as he poops her out.
posted by Darth Fedor at 9:52 AM on February 27, 2007 [1 favorite]