With a program that includes the famous Prelude in C sharp minor and the Elégie in E flat minor from Op. 3, along with selected Preludes from Opp. 23 and 32, and the Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42,
Vassily Primakov presents a well-rounded portrait of the great Russian pianist and composer,
Sergey Rachmaninov. It's easy to approach the Preludes because of their enormous popularity and their directness of expression, and
Primakov plays them with a combination of flashy showmanship and impassioned poetic reverie, giving them the full post-Romantic treatment that one expects in
Rachmaninov's music. More curious and introspective are the Variations, which
Rachmaninov composed in 1931 and which were among his last pieces. This is a more introspective and intellectual work, and stylistically, it is more modern, showing the influence of impressionism and exploring unusual harmonies within the framework of variations inspired by the ancient "La Folia" theme (not by Corelli).
Primakov's sense of balance makes this album work, both as a character study and as an even mix of musical expressions, and while he evidently enjoys himself in the Preludes, his sober assessment of the Variations serves as a steadying center to the album. Bridge's reproduction is full and rich in piano sonorities without being overly resonant.