Pletnev’s Paganini
Invariably when I listen to Mikhail Pletnev I hear something new in the composition he performs. That’s so exciting! Either he’s taken a tempo slightly slower to expose an aspect of the melody that I did not previously appreciate; or… I hear a Bass accompaniment that is just wonderful. Such was the case when I heard this Rachmaninov masterpiece.
Mikhail Pletnev is always amazing with his ability to apply astounding technique one minute, only to back away and give us a poetic phrase in the next moment. Nothing sounds ordinary in the hands of this pianist, so he’s capable of unbelievable variety and excitement.
There are many interpretations of Paganini Rhapsodies on the market, of course. It’s been the subject for innumerable recordings; here it is an amazing work of artistic excellence. Pletnev knows what is needed, and he plays with huge virtuosity throughout.
Here is Mikhail Pletnev – Rachmaninov, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, first movement; and the Berlin Philharmonic under Claudio Abbado is simply spectacular, too:
And here is Mikhail Pletnev in Rachmaninov’s Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini, 3rd part:
Tags: Mikhail Pletnev, pianist, Rachmaninov, Rhapsody on a theme of Paganini