Review by Daniil Trifonov and Sergei Babayan – Rachmaninoff for two

Daniil Trifonov Rachmaninoff's journey continues. He has now released a duet album with his mentor Sergei Babayan, where the focus is on the wings. There are also “Symphonic Dances” and a version of the Adagio movement from the Second Symphony arranged by Trifonov. The opening of the second pavilion really shows how well the two get along as a team. For example, they take a waltz very quickly, but their speed does not blow up in their faces. This creates scherzo-like bubbles from which the wonderful cantilena emerges. Tarantula: Dark, demonic, crazy, orchestral. What a contrast to the gentle barcarolle at the beginning of the first suite. Sadness comes up again and again on this album, as does a desire to lead and sign among the pianists who have a special connection to the music of the composer forced into exile by the Russian Revolution.

Rachmaninoff for two
Rachmaninoff/Trifonov: Adagio from the Second Symphony, Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances op. 45, Suite No. 1 op. 5 and No. 2 op. 17

Daniil Trifonov and Sergey Babayan (piano)
German gramophone