This recording of Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto changed my life.
I was 14 years old when I first watched this 75 year old man playing what is considered to be the most technically challenging concerto ever written. In this video, Vladimir Horowitz recorded this concerto for the very last time before he died.
Now, many musicians dislike listening to Horowitz because of his technical sloppiness or his lack of physical expression. I say, however, that you cannot deny the musical passion with which he plays. Technical perfection is certainly worthy of great praise, but it truly takes a gift to convey emotion and captivate an audience through the performance of music. This particular performance goes unmatched in my opinion. (But don't you worry, my fellow pianists! Martha Argerich's version is most definitely a runner up. Haha.) Rachmaninoff himself lauded Horowitz's masterful performances of his pieces, and he attended his shows as often as he could.
The actual composition on the other hand is undoubtedly a work of inspiration on Rachmaninoff's part. All I can tell you is to see for yourself.
I dare you to listen to the entire thing. It might just change your life as well.
P.S. Just in case you don't have 44 minutes and 30 seconds to spare right away, at least listen to these bits.
(1:21-3:00) Start from the beginning. Get a feel for this masterwork. Introduce yourself to the main theme. You'll be friends in an instant.
(7:33-8:00) This sounds like a fairytale.
(9:40-10:20) Just feel the power. It will rock your world.
(12:30-13:10) Once again, FEEL THE POWER. Close your eyes at 12:45. Ahhhh.
(18:00-19:40) The orchestra is stunningly beautiful here.
(20:30-21:30) The piano melody of this movement is sublime alone, but wait until the orchestra comes in underneath! It's absolutely breathtaking.
(23:50-25:20) Ahhh, such emotion! Can you hear it in the notes and see it in the performers??? And more importantly do you FEEL this, my friends?!?! For me, the tears start coming around 24:35. They are rolling down my cheeks at 25:03. This is gorgeous.
(28:45-29:10) Would you just look at this guy? He is AWESOME.
(30:40-31:20) I love the dynamic swells here. Beautifully done.
(32:47-33:38) This little recurring bit is one of my favorite technical parts of this piece. So light and spirited and sparkling.
(37:10-37:40) Just watch his fingers. Oh wait, you can't even SEE them at this part!
(41:15-41:50) 41:42 IS THE GREATEST MOMENT IN THE ENTIRE THING.
(42:00-43:16) If nothing else, you need to listen to this ending. It is incredible.
(43:16-44:30) Pure applause. They even cut off the recording before the applause was even finished. Woah.