Ashkenazy Completes Lifelong Project To Record Each Of Rachmaninov’s Works With Piano

Vladimir Ashkenazy, one of the most renowned and revered pianists of our times, crowns his lifelong project to record each of Rachmaninov’s works with piano with the release of Rachmaninov Piano Trios.

He performs the composer’s Trio élégiaque No. 1 in G minor and the Trio élégiaque No. 2 in D minor Op. 9.

Ashkenazy is joined by two outstanding young colleagues: violinist Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay, leader of the Philharmonia Orchestra, and cellist Mats Lidstrom.

The Trio élégiaque No.1 was written in just four days in 1892. Rachmaninov then performed the piece at the Conservatory with the eminent cellist Anatoly Brandukov and the violinist David Krein – one of seven musical brothers.

He began composing the Trio élégiaque No. 2 in November 1893, on the day of his mentor Tchaikovsky’s sudden death. The work is clearly inspired by themes from Tchaikovsky’s Piano Trio in A minor and is a deeply grief-stricken tribute of the young composer to his teacher.

Fifty years ago Ashkenazy’s first recording for Decca was of Rachmaninov: the 3rd Piano Concerto with Fistoulari and the LSO, followed soon after by three of the Etudes-tableaux Op.39. As a pianist, Ashkenazy has been an exclusive Decca artist ever since

Rachmaninov Rarities, released in February, celebrated the notable anniversary with a beguiling selection of overlooked and unpublished works, including several world premiere recordings.