No copyright infringement is intended, if any still exists. Posted solely for the artistic exposure John Ogdon playing the Rachmaninoff Concerto # 2 in 1987 Edinburgh with Jerzy Maksymiuk and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.
Ogden does a mighty good job in the execution of this glorious concerto. The melody sounds out with absolute clarity. I can find no weakness in it whatsoever !
You've got some nice vintage uploads here, op106. Thanks so much for adding them, especially the ones of Ogdon. Incredibly, this was 2 years before his untimely death and believe me he'd been through the ringer by this time.
Last time I checked there was no John Ogdon playing the Rachmaninoff no.2.I was disappointed by this but it has been put to rights now on 5/7/15.I always remember he won the Tchaikowsky international piano competition in Moscow in 1962.I have been a fan of this piece after it was featured in Coward/Lean's "Brief Encounter" (1945).
A bit impetuous in places but it's live and exciting! It's great to hear more 'on form' performances from the great man's last years. There must be at least one decent Rach 3 somewhere?! I'd love to hear that.
Well, this is genius! My introduction to John Ogden was the studio recorded Busoni Concerto, which paired his incendiary playing with Busoni devotee Daniell Revenaugh. I would love to have heard Ogdon play the Busoni live. To hear his "blood and guts" approach that we have here live in the Busoni would have been once-in-a lifetime. Back to Rachmaninoff, I have no idea what would have caused his early entrance in the second movement, but I don't think an outsider can understand all of what he went through in those last years. Congratulations to the conductor for staying on a sometimes bucking bronco for a wonderful pairing. This is why there is no replacement for live music. Would you take this result from a studio recording? Of course not, but the fire issuing from the piano in this performance is one of a kind. Thank you for posting!!
Ogden's story is tough reading. I have listened to many of his early (when well) and late (when not well) performances. Some of his early ones are very strange - despite his massive technique and musical conception he often plays so fast the notes are lost (or wrong or missing). But this performance I enjoyed, even though it loses its way here and there (and was I think pretty tough for the orchestra and conductor to hang in there sometimes!). There is clearly a big concept behind his reading and his technique is still intact enough to power through. There are some exquisite moments, some messy moments, some crazy moments, but that was Ogdon (even at his peak). A phenomenal man and spirit.
I disagree; this ranks as one of his best performances of this piece. Not like Horowitz, but pure Ogdon. You see, I once fell in love with him in all of his vulnerability and human frailty. Despite his tragic life, he triumphed!!
@@barneyronnie what exactly did I say that you disagree with ? I didn’t supply a “rating” for this performance, just a few observations … I’m sure we can agree he was unique !
@@neilkilleen3911 Well, considering his state of mind, and rereading your post, you certainly weren't unduly critical. I guess that I placed too much emphasis on ' powering through,' but indeed, that's just the truth and not an indictment of his playing. He certainly was on a different plane! Thanks, Reinhold Von Treffencaunbowz
His hands are huge and I think he was powerful with wrists and never percussive .Also his memory is legendary ! Not my fave pianist because I'vr never heard him well recorded but one listens and is knockout . The man was FIERCE &FEARLESS IN BUSONI ,SORABJI . I think Sorabji is best forgotten until I hear something not entirely overlong and uninteresting . Mort Feldman is a better experience if Im going to listen fort 6 hours . This is wonderful empathetic playing ! Singularly poetic and individual in places . Wish therewas some film of Rach . The family stuff tells a lot ! He didn't think much of anyone but he and Hofmann - must find his letters !
