Rachmaninov: Suites for Two Pianos, Works for Piano Trio

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Karaśkiewicz and Michał Rot play sublimely in Suite No. 1 for two pianos and the Suite No. 2 for two pianos, Op. 17 with a command of the grand Romantic style seldom heard these days of soulless playing of some of today’s superstar pianists.   In the same manner, the superbly accomplished members of the Huberman Piano Trio bring to life the Trio Elegiac No. 1 in G minor, and both the Elegy from the 1882 Five Fantasy Pieces, Op. 3, and the familiar 1915 Vocalise. The two miniatures are separated by 33 years, yet imprinted by the composer’s gift for memorable melody, which in the enormously gifted hands of pianist Barbara Karaśkiewicz, violinist Dagmara Swystun, and cellist Sergei Rysanov are heard again in impeccably delivered readings.

—Rafael de Acha