Gulbenkian Orchestra

Sa Chen, Gulbenkian Orchestra & Lawrence Foster – Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op. 18 (2020)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 35:29 minutes | 590 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © PentaTone

Sa Chen here gives serviceable performance (in splendid sound) of two concerto warhorses. The Pentatone label seems to have cornered the market in surround sound recordings of the great concertos, but it was perhaps inevitable that their unbroken series of definitive recordings would inevitably move down from the Parnassian slopes – as here. These performances (while eminently musical) perhaps lack that final ounce of passionate commitment to be found in so many other concerti recordings on the Pentatone label. Nevertheless, a case can be made for these readings of two thoroughly musical performances, recorded in customary Pentatone splendour. (Classical CD Choice, Barry Forshaw)

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