Lang Lang Rachmaninoff Piano Concerto No. 3 & Scriabin Etudes 180g 2LP

TAS Rated 3/5 Music, 5/5 Sonics in the October 2023 Issue of The Absolute Sound!

Marking the debut orchestral recording of legendary Lang Lang's illustrious career, this Telarc classic includes the pianist's performance of Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra from Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in 2001, as well as his solo performance of a variety of Scriabin's Etudes. Mastered from the original Soundstream tapes by Paul Blakemore, cut by Ryan Smith at Sterling Sound, and pressed on 180-gram LP pressed at Optimal.

Classical music fans are the ultimate early adopters, jumping feet first into the world of new audio technology as soon as it is available. All the better to hear their favorite pieces and performances in the highest fidelity possible. That's why the announcement of a major reissue campaign by Telarc, a mainstay of the classical music world since 1977, that includes new vinyl pressings feels almost regressive. The imprint hasn't entirely given up on the format, having sparingly released new LPs over the past two decades. But I do wonder how many folks will be lining up to grab the first two albums from this series. The good news is that they won't be disappointed if they do. Both pressings are spotless thanks to the work of engineer Paul Blackmore, who mastered both discs using high-end digital files, and Sterling Sound's Ryan Smith, who cut the lacquers.

If you like Lang Lang in Rachmaninoff, here's your chance to grab it on LP for the first time. The sonics were already beautiful, but the LP offers a touch more warmth.