Van Cliburn’s legendary
1958 performance of Tchaikovsky’s
Piano Concerto no.1 with Kirill Kondrashin
conducting the RCA Symphony Orchestra
(New York Philharmonic Orchestra?) still
remains remarkably fresh as if it had
only just recently been recorded live
in concert. This was his first recording
on returning to the US from winning
the first Moscow Tchaikovsky Piano Competition
in March 1958 and it became the first
classical record ever to sell over a
million copies.
The first movement
can often sound bombastic and clangourous
under showy virtuosi but with Van Cliburn
there is a sense of reserve and intellectual
reflection. His classical objectivity
renders emotion even more directly and
undiluted. He lets the notes speak for
themselves without subjective embellishments
or extremes of tempi. His masterly piano
technique has total control over dynamics
and tonal colour. Here his playing is
simply perfect. His way with the slow
movement is agile yet delicate, whilst
in the closing movement he imparts a
robust urgency without sacrificing clarity.
The SACD (Super Audio
CD) sound quality is crystal clear sounding
closer to the naturalness, warmth and
depth of the original LP and without
any of the harshness and flatness of
some CD sound.
Van Cliburn’s reading
of Rachmaninov’s Piano Concerto
no.2 with Fritz Reiner conducting the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra is even more
subtle and reserved than his playing
of the Tchaikovsky. The great feature
of this performance is the playing of
the Chicago Symphony, notably the seamless
carpet of strings at the opening of
the work. Van Cliburn’s genius is to
play the notes without the embellishments
or excesses that this overtly romantic
work often invites. The soloist’s reflection
and repose give the work an even greater
depth of emotion and poignancy. In the
second movement the soloist becomes
a member of the orchestra, playing duets
with the beautifully played woodwind
solos.
The closing movement
is overwhelmingly moving without sounding
cloyingly sentimental. Again Van Cliburn’s
intelligence and reserve give the notes
added emotional power. Even in the climactic
passages his playing is never forced
or over-stated, yet his range of mood
and dynamics is extraordinary. In the
closing passages the velvety Chicago
strings play with deep expressivity,
totally at one with their soloist.
The recorded sound
has a warm, concert hall ambience, with
the soloist naturally balanced with
the orchestra. Needless to say Fritz
Reiner’s conducting is first rate as
is the playing of the Chicago Symphony
Orchestra.
I highly recommend
this Super Audio CD. These are paradigm
performances of old war-horses. This
is a must-have CD for any lover of Russian
music and legendary piano playing. Buy
it!
Alex Russell
Van
Cliburn (piano) 
RCA
BMG LIVING STEREO SACD 82876613922 [60.02]
