Vladimir Ashkenazy, Zsolt-Tihamér Visontay, Mats Lidström - Rachmaninov: Piano Trios (2013)

Vladimir Ashkenazy, one of the most renowned and revered pianists of our times, crowns his lifelong project to record each of Rachmaninovs works with piano with the release of Rachmaninov Piano Trios. He performs the composers Trio elegiaque No. 1 in G minor and the Trio elegiaque No. 2 in D minor Op. 9.
Ashkenazy is joined by two outstanding young colleagues: violinist Zsolt-Tihamer Visontay, leader of the Philharmonia Orchestra, and cellist Mats Lidstrom.
The Trio elegiaque No.1 was written in just four days in 1892. Rachmaninov then performed the piece at the Conservatory with the eminent cellist Anatoly Brandukov and the violinist David Krein one of seven musical brothers. He began composing the Trio elegiaque No. 2 in November 1893, on the day of his mentor Tchaikovskys sudden death. The work is clearly inspired by themes from Tchaikovskys Piano Trio in A minor and is a deeply grief-stricken tribute of the young composer to his teacher.
Fifty years ago Ashkenazys first recording for Decca was of Rachmaninov: the 3rd Piano Concerto with Fistoulari and the LSO, followed soon after by three of the Etudes-tableaux Op.39. As a pianist, Ashkenazy has been an exclusive Decca artist ever since. Rachmaninov Rarities, released in February, celebrated the notable anniversary with a beguiling selection of overlooked and unpublished works, including several world premiere recordings.
Of Ashkenazys recent Rachmaninov recordings, The Guardian observed: An exceptional artist ... Ashkenazy presents every piece immaculately, while The Daily Telegraph wrote that Ashkenazys Rachmaninov recordings have long led the field.