Rachmaninoff plays Kreisler - Liebesleid (Love's Sorrow)

Kreisler: Liebesleid (Love's Sorrow) · Sergei Rachmaninoff

Rachmaninoff plays Rachmaninoff - The Ampico Piano Recordings

℗ 1985 Decca Music Group Limited

Released on: 1979-01-01

Composer: Fritz Kreisler
Arranger, Work Arranger: Sergei Rachmaninoff

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Rachmaninoff piano rolls are a unique piece of musical history. A piano roll is a music storage medium consisting of a roll of paper with perforations that control the playback of a player piano or other automatic musical instrument. These piano rolls were popular in the early 20th century as a way to enjoy live performances without needing to attend a concert. The Rachmaninoff piano rolls are especially prized by music enthusiasts and historians as they provide a rare glimpse into the playing style of one of the greatest pianists of all time. They also offer a fascinating contrast to modern recordings, as they capture the sound and style of an era before the advent of digital recording technology. Rachmaninoff's musicality and spontaneity is on show in all of his recordings, he never feels too confined to what's written on the page and instead freely explores, embellishes and decorates the music in an organic and improvisatory manner.

Rachmaninoff and Fritz Kreisler were both highly acclaimed musicians of their time and shared a deep appreciation for each other's work. Their friendship grew stronger over time, and they even collaborated on a few musical pieces. One notable example is Rachmaninoff's arrangement of Kreisler's "Liebeslied" for piano, which became a popular composition in Rachmaninoff's repertoire. Despite their busy schedules, the two musicians continued to correspond and maintain their friendship through letters.

Rachmaninoff's deep understanding of Kreisler's musical style and his own virtuosity allowed him to bring out the inherent emotional intensity and technical complexity of the piece in this performance of "Liebeslied". Rachmaninoff imbues the piece with a sense of longing and melancholy that is truly captivating. From the opening notes, he captures the listener's attention with his impeccable phrasing and use of dynamics, building tension and releasing it in a way that is both dramatic and subtle.

Listening to this recording is like stepping back in time and experiencing the music as it was meant to be played, by one of the greatest musicians of all time. It is a testament to the enduring power of classical music, and a reminder of the remarkable artistry of Sergei Rachmaninoff.