This Naxos audio-only DVD presents a rising Russian keyboard star, abetted by one of the leading Russian conductors of the post-Soviet generation and one of the better Russian orchestras of the day, personnel that should portend fine performances of these two
Rachmaninov warhorses. And in many ways the results are quite convincing: the first movement of the
Rachmaninov Second is filled with tension and drama, from the opening chords to the powerful march that climaxes the development section, and on to the lovely reprise, where both pianist and orchestra phrase with subtlety and sensitivity.
And the second movement is also quite good, with judicious tempos and a lovely, lyrical flow to
Scherbakov's and the orchestra's playing. But the finale has a reticent quality in places: the orchestra plays with enough power and muscularity, but the soloist holds back a bit, slighting some of
Rachmaninov's contrapuntal voices in the dramatic middle section. Still, this is a fine account overall, though Naxos' own
Glemser/
Wit version is arguably better.
The Third is also effective, but not without flaws either.
Scherbakov meets the considerable technical challenges, but, again, seems a bit reticent: after the orchestra takes up the main theme in the first movement's opening, the pianist plays a bit timidly, notes blending with too much legato and too little crispness. The shorter, alternate cadenza is chosen by
Scherbakov and is brilliantly played. So is the second movement: soloist and orchestra unite to capture
Rachmaninov's melting lyricism with a balance of caressing sensitivity and fiery passion. But the finale could have more spirit and drive: tempos are a bit deliberate and while things mostly go well, the big buildup could have more energy, more of a sense of mystery and menace.
Janis/
Dorati (Mercury),
Horowitz/
Reiner (RCA), and, again,
Glemser/
Wit are preferable. Naxos' sound is vivid and well balanced in both works.