Nikolai Lugansky – Rachmaninov: 24 Preludes (2018) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Nikolai Lugansky – Rachmaninov: 24 Preludes (2018)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:22:07 minutes | 1,01 GB | Genre: Classical, Piano
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © harmonia mundi

Unfortunately no, dear reader, there is no such thing as a cycle of “24 Preludes” by Rachmaninoff; however there are indeed 24 Preludes: a collection of ten Op. 23 from 1903, 13 other Op. 32 from 1910 and one isolated Prelude from the Morceaux de fantaisie Op. 3 (Fantasy Pieces) from 1893. In total: 24 Preludes, in which as a simple count shows Rachmaninoff − much like Chopin and of course Bach − illustrated all major and minor tones. Deliberately random, or the involuntary drive to create a reasonably coherent cycle? Contrary to his two illustrious predecessors, Rachmaninoff didn’t order his Preludes according to a specific tonal plan: the musician’s fantasy develops bit by bit.

Nikolai Lugansky – described by the famous magazine Gramophone as “the most innovative and transcendent interpreter of all” (so much for the others…), truly an extraordinarily deep and polyvalent pianist – decided to present the Preludes in the order prescribed by partitions, rather than reorganising them according to some hypothetical tonal logic, without knowing if Rachmaninoff would even have recommended or even considered it, particularly as the constant alternation of moods, independently of any tonal consideration, gives the piece a sense of perfect coherence. Finally it’s worth mentioning that Lugansky offers a very “original” interpretation of this divine music, which may feel like a re-discovery to some listeners.

Tracklist:
01. Nikolai Lugansky – Morceaux de fantaisie, Op. 3: No. 2. Prelude in C-Sharp Minor (04:47)
02. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 1. Largo in F-Sharp Minor (03:40)
03. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 2. Maestoso in B-Flat Major (03:37)
04. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 3. Tempo di minuetto in D Minor (03:53)
05. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 4. Andante cantabile in D Major (04:58)
06. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 5. Alla marcia in G Minor (04:05)
07. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 6. Andante in E-Flat Major (03:03)
08. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 7. Allegro in C Minor (02:29)
09. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 8. Allegro vivace in A-Flat Major (03:28)
10. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 9. Presto in E-Flat Minor (01:58)
11. Nikolai Lugansky – 10 Preludes, Op. 23: No. 10. Largo in G-Flat Major (04:05)
12. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 1. Allegro vivace in C Major (01:14)
13. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 2. Allegretto in B-Flat Minor (03:05)
14. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 3. Allegro vivace in E Major (02:24)
15. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 4. Allegro con brio in E Minor (05:56)
16. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 5. Moderato in G Major (03:21)
17. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 6. Allegro appassionato in F Minor (01:21)
18. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 7. Moderato in F Major (02:25)
19. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 8. Vivo in A Minor (01:48)
20. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 9. Allegro in A Major (03:02)
21. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 10. Lento in B Minor (06:07)
22. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 11. Allegretto in B Major (02:33)
23. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 12. Allegro in G-Sharp Minor (02:35)
24. Nikolai Lugansky – 13 Preludes, Op. 32: No. 13. Grave in D-Flat Major (05:59)

Personnel:
Nicolai Lugansky, piano

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