Rachmaninoff for Two

Rachmaninoff’s sense of drama and ability to conjure scenes and emotions through music, is abundantly evident in the two-piano suites performed here by two magnificent pianists. Daniil Trifonov appears here with his teacher Sergei Babayan who, through his teacher Mikhail Pletnev, belongs to the Moscow piano tradition of which Rachmaninoff was such a giant. This tradition was characterised by a staggering technique coupled with a richness and warmth of sound. And there’s plenty of that in this recording. Trifonov and Babayan start with Trifonov’s own glittering arrangement of the beautiful “Adagio” from Rachmaninoff’s Second Symphony. It makes a fine contrast to the march-like “Introduction” to the dance-inspired Suite No. 2, composed in 1901 when Rachmaninoff was also writing his Second Piano Concerto, having just recovered from his major creative block. It’s a magnificent showcase for Trifonov and Babayan’s sense of ensemble, as is their sparkling (and hair-raising) performance of the following “Waltz”. Suite No. 1 is more inspired by poetry, and the pianists capture the spirit of these movements wonderfully—whether the sunshine and gondola’s singing in “Barcarolle”, or the exuberant clang of bells for “Easter”. There are more opportunities for reflection in the composer’s own two-piano arrangement of his orchestral Symphonic Dances, which these incredible pianists bring to an explosive, barnstorming close.