Horowitz and Rachmaninoff: Admiration and Rivalry (2/3)
Vladimir Horowitz and Sergei Rachmaninoff (pictured) formed a remarkable duo in music history. They were not close friends in the conventional sense, but they did have a notable respect for one another. Horowitz admired Rachmaninoff as both a composer and pianist, while Rachmaninoff regarded Horowitz as exceptionally talented. There was, all the same, a healthy dose of rivalry between the two.
Rachmaninoff was well known for his impressive technique and restrained playing style, whereas Horowitz possessed an equally phenomenal technique, but often played with greater passion, explosiveness and an almost theatrical energy. Rachmaninoff must have been intrigued, if at times perhaps a little irritated, by that very difference.
Yet their relationship was primarily based on mutual admiration. Horowitz performed Rachmaninoff’s music frequently, boosting its popularity. The fact that Horowitz did not simply reproduce everything exactly as written makes their relationship all the more fascinating.
You could say that Rachmaninoff wrote the music, while Horowitz occasionally turned it into a musical roller coaster. Their collaboration goes to show that admiration and criticism can coexist perfectly fine, especially when both men happened to be piano-playing geniuses.
Playlist
- Sergej Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No.3 in D minor, op.30
Vladimir Horowitz (piano), New York Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy - Sergej Rachmaninov – Piano Sonata No.2 in B-flat minor, Op.36 – movements 2 and 3
Vladimir Horowitz (piano)
