Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No.3, Variations on a Theme of Corelli – Boris Giltburg

   in Piano International (Sep, 2018)
Following his fine recording of Rachmaninov’s Second Concerto and first set of Études-tableaux Op 33 (see my review in IP Jul/Aug), I had high hopes for Boris Giltburg in this latest release. He does not disappoint, offering a highly thoughtful interpretation, at times a reimagining of one of the largest, most familiar concertos. Its monumental scale and emotional complexity will perhaps never make it over-familiar like its predecessor, but it has been bedevilled by its sheer size to make it a challenge that must be conquered.

What is so refreshing about Giltburg’s approach is that, unlike Buniatishvili (Sony), for instance, he focuses on the music not the challenge. Yes, he has …