Lazar Berman, London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado - Rachmaninoff: Piano Concerto No. 3 (2016)

I have many versions of this great concerto. My first ever exposure to this work was a recording by Witold Malcuzynski that I have now acquired on CD. Since the 1960s I have collected recordings by many great pianists including Bronfman, Glemser, Ashkenazy, Janis, Gilels, Vasary, Horowitz, Lympany, Gieseking, Helfgott, de Larrocha, Rachmaninoff, Wild, Kapell, Bolet, Argerich, Malcuzynski - and just when I thought I'd heard all the Rach 3 had to say, along comes this sublime recording by the late great Lazar Berman. The playing is clear, romantic, musically intelligent, exciting and enjoyable and satisfying in every way. Claudio Abbado and the LSO accompany Berman in a sensitive and balanced manner. All in all this is simply a magnificent performance and I would recommend it to all those who love the music of Rachmaninoff and this wonderful concerto in particular. Five stars from me!