https://static.qobuz.com/goodies/62/000128226.pdf
With this album, Daniil Trifonov’s completes his exploration of the complete Rachmaninov works for piano and orchestra, accompanied by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Yannick Nézet-Séguin. The previous two recordings garnered considerable acclaim, so this new release is highly anticipated.
In the illuminating booklet, Trifonov speaks of the substantial undertaking the composer took upon himself with the Third Concerto, and even describes the piece in religious terms. While Trifonov clearly savors the bravura writing, he also enjoys the many moments of introspection. This is especially apparent in the first movement cadenza (Track 6, 10’05”), played with an organic, improvisatory freedom that does indeed make it seem like we are listening in on an inner conversation with the Creator. Trifonov, as Ashkenazy in his famous version with Previn, chose the less brilliant “Ossia” cadenza rather than the flashier alternative.
The third movement of the concerto is another highlight. In lesser hands, the music can be flashy and loud, moving from one climax to the next, but Trifonov and Nézet-Séguin are clearly focused on allowing the music to continually grow and expand into the overwhelming hymn of praise unleashed in the coda. Even listening at home, it is difficult to resist leaping to your feet to shout ‘bravo’ at your speakers.
In short, there is so much more to these performances than Trifonov’s phenomenal technique, which of course enables him to execute even the most difficult passages with unerring accuracy and tonal beauty. The greater success of this recording, as well as the other two recordings in the series, is how completely Trifonov inhabits the complex and profound “gestalt’ of this music and its composer. After listening to a Trifonov performance it is hard to believe the music can be played any other way.