Orchid Classics releases Voice Of Rachmaninoff, the third album from American cellist John-Henry Crawford. Crawford again joins forces with pianist Victor Santiago Asunción to mark the 150th anniversary of Sergei Rachmaninoff as a remarkable composer and pianist. The new album displays the power and richness of Rachmaninoff’s piano writing and extremely vocal style, highlighting his impeccable ability to sing through the soaring melodies that one finds across his entire musical output...

It's always a joy to hear a new album of Rachmaninoff's work. On Voice of Rachmaninoff, cellist John-Henry Crawford masterfully performs a selection of the composer's works, accompanied by pianist Victor Santiago.

The album consists of 10 tracks (1 hr, 07 min, 41 sec) and includes transcriptions from Rachmaninoff’s solo piano literature. Each piece is a testament to the genius of Rachmaninoff and the singing, emotive power of the cello, which represents Rachmaninoff’s voice in this album. Talking about the release, Crawford shares: "From the slow movement of his second piano concerto in the seemingly infinite lines of the winds and strings, the yearning 'Elégie' adapted from his 'Morceaux de Fantasie', to the eighteenth variation of his Rhapsody for piano and orchestra which climbs to an ever-reaching climax."

Possibly the composer's most celebrated piano concerto (No. 2 - 'Preghiera' - which was the inspiration for Eric Carmen's 1975 song 'All By Myself'. It's also been used in numerous movies, most notably Brief Encounter (1945)). rounds off the album leaving the listener wanting more.

A wonderfully performed release of some of Rachmaninoff's most celebrated works.

Track listing:

01. Morceaux de Fantasie, Op. 3, No. 1 Elégie - Moderato [5:33]
02. 12 Romances, Op. 21 No. 7, Zdes Khorosho “How fair this spot” [2:17]
03. 6 Songs, Op. 4 No. 4, Ne poy krasavitsa pri mne “Oh never sing to me again” [4:35]
04. Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43, Var XVII - Andante Cantabile [3:26]
Sonata for Cello and Piano in G minor, Op.19
05. I. Lento - Allegro Moderato [13:08]
06. II. Allegro scherzando [6:39]
07. III. Andante [6:49]
08. IV. Allegro Mosso [11:48]
09. Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14 [6:39]
10. Piano Concerto No. 2 in C Minor, Op 18 “Preghiera” - II. (Arr. Fritz Kreisler & Shelbie Rassler) [6:52]

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Darren Rea