Hot on the heels of a superb CD devoted to Shostakovich’s Theater Music, pianist Rustem Hayoudinoff turns his attention to Rachmaninov’s complete piano preludes. Hayoudinoff’s imposing technical prowess is heard to best advantage in the meatiest selections. He tackles the B-flat Op. 23 No. 2’s thick chordal and textural thickets head on, and proves equally fleet and forthright in the D minor piece that follows. Op. 32’s E major, E minor, A minor, and F minor preludes also boast impressive bottom-up, orchestral solidity.
In more lyrically inclined pieces, however, the pianist must give way to Richter’s refinement and control in the C minor Op. 23 No. 7, C major Op. 32 No. 1, and F major Op. 32 No. 7, to say nothing of Horowitz’s tonal magic in Op. 32 Nos. 5 and 12. At times Hayoudinoff pedals more than necessary (the C-sharp minor Op. 3 No. 2’s middle section, and the aforementioned C minor). His double notes in the Op. 23 No. 10 E-flat minor piece come off blurry and indistinct next to Vladimir Ashkenazy’s awesome clarity and projection, and his little agogic adjustments in the Op. 23 No. 5 G minor pull focus from the music’s march-like straight line. Loud passages take on a metallic, chilly hue that taxes the ear over long stretches of time. For listeners seeking all the Rachmaninov preludes on a single disc, Ashkenazy’s artistically and sonically superior edition remains first choice, and costs less.
