Genuine Joyce, Hatto plays Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No.2
Rachmaninov, Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor Op.18
Joyce Hatto, piano
Hamburg Pro Musica (?)
George Hurst, conductor
1. Moderato
2. Adagio sostenuto (10'10")
3. Allegro scherzando (21'20")
Joyce Hatto's LP of Arnold Bax's Symphonic Variations, dating from 1970, seems to be the last authentic recording by the pianist, and it is commonly considered to be her best. However she made a number of recordings during the 1950s and 1960s, one of which was of Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No. 2, featured here. It was first published in 1959.and did not receive very favourable reviews.
On a personal note, it was this recording of Rachmaninov's second piano concerto that introduced me to the work when I was a child and I have a lasting affection for it, if only for sentimental reasons. Whilst there are undoubtedly superior recordings around, the piano playing heard here is good enough to suggest that Ms Hatto had no need of other pianists' fingers to help her on her way!
Artwork is by:-
Isaac Levitan (1860 -1900) -- movements 1 and 2
Alexei Savrasov (1830-1897) -- movement 3