David Helfgott's Rach 3

It's hard to believe it has been eleven years since this recording was released. In one respect, the media hype was the product of a very modern time. On the other hand, the film Shine, David Helfgott and his recordings seem like ancient history. With Helfgott's 15 minutes of fame long past, we may let these unfortunate recordings rest in peace.

To be blunt, this is the worst recording of the Rachmaninoff Third Concerto I have ever heard (and I have heard about 30). The most charitable adjectives I can summon for this performance are hazy and heavily medicated. I have nothing but sympathy for the trials Mr. Helfgott has had to endure, but I have even even greater sympathy for far more talented musicians who are trying to break into this difficult profession--only to have their hard work usurped by a cinematic sob story. If you want to hear a great Rachmaninoff Third, try Horowitz/Ormandy, Horowitz/Reiner, or Rachmaninoff/Ormandy, or Janis/Munch (all on RCA/BMG).

Helfgott plays the 1931 revision of Rachmaninoff's Second Sonata. If this is the version you prefer, I suggest Thibaudet's fine performance on Decca. Personally, I feel that the revised version is too condensed (Rachmaninoff felt this way also, and allowed Vladimir Horowitz to create a combination of the original and revised versions). Both the 1968 Sony (lithe, pantherlike, and in excellent sound) and the 1980 RCA (brooding, with closely miked sound) Horowitz versions are my top picks for this work. If you prefer the 1913 original version, look for Cliburn on RCA. Helfgott's 15 minutes are over, let's just let these unfortunate recordings rest in peace.