David Helfgott Plays Rachmaninov: Piano Concerto No. 3; Four Preludes; Sonata No. 2
This is perhaps the most famous recording ever made of Rachmaninoff's Third Piano Concerto, and probably the worst. Poor David Helfgott, who may have been a great virtuoso before his well-publicized mental breakdown, can barely hack his way through this concerto. Perhaps the cruel practice of issuing a live performance recording spares the expense of endless retakes, but it also exposes the pianist's severe deficiencies. The studio-recorded solo pieces are played accurately, perhaps due to endless retakes, but they are so devoid of musical impulse that Helfgott sounds as though he's on heavy tranquilizers. Try Alexis Weissenberg's version of the Rach 3 (RCA Victor Gold Seal 09026-61693-2), or anybody's.--Leslie Gerber