Everyone will tell you to buy this cd for the second Rachmaninov Concerto. It is indeed an excellent version and it?s worth every penny. I would like to tell you instead some things about the Tchaikovsky Concerto. It looks that many are influenced by the review that says that there is an incompatibility between the pianist (Richter) and the conductor (Karajan). Although it is not entirely wrong I would beg to differ. It so happens that I think that this concerto like any other romantic concerto is about passion, abandon and living each moment like it is the last.
Any true or invented reason for tension between the two protagonists in this case serves so well the general cause. Let aside that the sound is superb (the instrument and the orchestra) the constant sense of urgency makes this concerto special. In fact, I like it so much that I'd say that this is my favorite version by far. Richter is in peak form and can't allow himself the luxury of being elegant with feelings and moods that aren't elegant. Karajan, conducting a Berliner that sounds as impressive as ever, has the luxury of creating exquisite landscapes for the poor piano man's fight with his daemons. The more brutal and direct the piano gets the more detailed and refined the orchestra goes creating, at least to my ears, an antithesis that puts this concerto in a different class. All three parts are as good and the logic connections between them is so strong that one can hardly say that there three and not one from beginning to end. It is so good and so convincing that I think it has the power to make Tchaikovsky liked even by those that don't like him. Do yourself a favor and listen to it. Coupled with an equally great Rachmaninov 2nd it's hard to imagine a better deal.
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