What should've been greatness

I would guess that what I'm about to say happened to some of you also. I was watching Shine, the movie about the life and music of David Helfgott and I was descovering as the movie rolled a great musician. A great merit goes to the creators of the movie and to an extremely powerfull soundtrack however it was obvious that it's the story of a musical phenomenon. The single piece that impressed me most in the movie was the Rachmaninov interpretation he gave at the graduation (i think it was the Royal College of Music in London). To that point it was hair-raising interpretation like I haven't heard till then and finding the cd became instantaneously a very urgent goal. It wasn't difficult to find a copy and off to listening we go.

This is the point where this review has its roots in. It was the most dissapointing musical experience I have ever had. Not a single thing from all that I have expected was there. I just sat and listened to a crippled musician, playing a concerto way to big for him. The technical errors are so many that make the recording almost impossible to listen to. And even further there is no conception whatsoever to it. Of course, it is very difficult to make a clear point when every 2 bars you start over on the wrong note. There is no point in discussing the orchestra because no matter what they do they can't make up for what's going on at the piano. And this is a live concert. The other pieces on the cd are studio recordings. The mistakes are less yet there is no soul nor thought to it. It's just the coffin of what Rachmaninov put into them.

So, a piece of advice, if you hear the story (which is impressive) or you see the movie (also very good) don't make the mistake of buying this cd. You'll be very sorry. Try any of Horowitz' recordings, the fiery version of Martha Argerich or any other you can find.