Tag Archives: vladimir ashkenazy

Ashkenazy plays Rachmaninov Preludes

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Vladimir Ashkenazy (1937-)

Vladimir Ashkenazy made his debut as a concert pianist in Moscow in 1945.  In 1955 he won second prize in the Chopin Competition in Warsaw. Poland.  In 1956 Ashkenazy won first prize in the Queen Elizabeth Competition in Brussels, Belgium.  in 1962 Vladimir Ashkenazy and John Ogdon both won first prize in the International Tchaikovsky Competition.

Ashkenazy is noted for his interpretations of Rachmaninov’s music.  He is also known for his warm and sincere playing of the Romantic piano repertoire and sensitive and clear playing of the music of W.A. Mozart.  In the middle of his career as a concert pianist he took up orchestral conducting.  He still makes solo piano recordings and performs on the piano but he is busy conducting orchestras.

Here are three preludes by Sergei Rachmaninov performed by Vladimir Ashkenazy.  The first is the Prelude in f sharp minor op.23, no.1.  The second is the prelude op.23, no.4 in D Major, and the third is the Prelude op.23, no.10 in G Flat Major.  I hope that you enjoy this beautiful music as much as I do.

 

Scriabin Piano concerto

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Alexander Scriabin (1872-1915) was a Russian composer and piano virtuoso.  His early compositional style was influenced by Chopin and Tchaikovsky.  The early compositions are very lyrical and even though they are more modern than Chopin and Tchaikovsky, they sometimes sound a bit like Chopin or Tchaikovsky.

Later on in his career, Scriabin’s compositions became gradually more dissonant and abstract.  Rhythmically the music became more complex.  Scriabin also had very big hands (like Rachmaninoff) and could stretch his hands a great distance across the keyboard.  His compositions continue to be very challenging for pianists.

Here is a recording of his Piano Concerto op.20.  This is an early work of Scriabin.  It was written in 1896 when the composer was 24 years old.  It is the first and only piece he wrote for orchestra, and his only concerto. Vladimir Ashkenazy is the piano soloist.

first movement

second movement

first half of third movement

second and final half of third movement