Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini / Symphony No. 3

"Subdin, clearly on top form, treats Rachmaninov's variations like a set of diabolical virtuoso etudes, displaying transcendental virtuosity and kaleidoscopic keyboard colour. Sudbin nevertheless plays with all the necessary intimacy and sense of Romantic feeling in the lyrical sections...The Singapore Symphony accompanies perfectly, adding considerably to the colour and atmosphere of the work." BBC Music Magazine, May 2012 ***/****

"This, as you would expect from Subdin, is a performance rich in detail and immaculately executed; furthermore, from the outset the ear is immediately taken by the superb sound quality" Gramophone Magazine, May 2012

"Sudbin's playing has terrific presence in this recording of Rachmaninov's Paganini Rhapsody. The blend of personality and stylistic perception that marks Sudbin's live performances is also manifest here. He plays with passion, drive, dexterity, discretion and dynamism...This is a top-flight, richly enjoyable performance" The Telegraph, 5th April 2012 ****

BIS present two works composed by Sergei Rachmaninov, featuring virtuoso pianist Yevgeny Sudbin alongside the Singapore Symphony Orchestra under Lan Shui.

Rachmaninov composed Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini after a seven-year silence, and consists of 24 variations taken from Paganini's 24th Caprice for solo violin.

The Rhapsody was soon followed by his Third Symphony. Its themes have a marked Russian character used with great subtlety.

Lan Shui and his Singapore Symphony Orchestra here follow their acclaimed 2008 recording of Rachmaninov's Symphony No.2 (BISSACD1712).

The discography of Yevgeny Sudbin includes a Rachmaninov solo recital (BISSACD1518), and a recording of the Fourth Piano Concerto (BISSACD1728).