I first heard this in 2000, and it shook me. I learned how magnificent classical piano can be from Kapell recordings way back in the 1950s, and he remains, for me, not just the greatest American pianist but the greatest pianist, period. He had a unique combination of fiery temperament, absolute dedication to his art, laser-like focus, the ability to adapt to any style from Bach to Schubert lieder accompanist to Chopin to this, and--of course--transcendent technique. I've also have the recording of this work under William Steinberg, available on RCA. That studio recording lacks the bursting energy of this performance under Bernstein. Kapell's performance of the Rach 3 in Australia, shortly before he died, is also beyond words. What we lost when Kapell was killed is incalculable. What we have from his short career is irreplaceable.

Fantastic. This is how to play Rachmaninoff. Kapell plays straight from his heart, with a natural flow and great energy, virtuosic but never showy. He plays with a feeling that never becomes too sentimental. Magnificent.

It is so great to find here this performance that I used to listen in my youth from a tape I had recorded from radio... William Kapell's beautiful & volatile performance coming through his rare intensity sensitivity and grandeur

Kapell such a wonderful pianist and taken early like Lipatti. both of these men had such wonderful tone.

WE could have dream of a piano concerto with Kapell conducted by Cantelli

Phenomenal! WHat a great collaboration!

EXCELLENT!! A Maria Callas of the piano.

From My Nine Lives, by Leon Fleisher and Anne Midgette: “We all looked up to Kapell. You couldn’t not look up to Kapell. He was a compact mass of raw, breathtaking talent. He was probably the greatest American pianist who ever lived. Listen to his recording of Liszt’s Mephisto Waltz to see what I mean .../... He was all of twenty-two when he recorded it."

Terrific.

Lenni had to be out of his mind with lust during this session. He sure elicited this stunning performance from this beautiful pianist.

As I exited the Chicago Public Main Library the newsboys were shouting repeatedly, "Pianist William Kapell has been killed in an airplane crash! I cried for days. (BWPW)

Eccezionale! bellissima interpretazione!!

The James Dean of pianists (died too young).

If Bernstein and I had gone to Boston Latin School at the same time, I would have known him simply as "Lenny" in the 7th grade, and I bet we would have been friends who defended each other from any bullies who wished to spoil our individual joys.

Willie was great and taken from us too soon.

Es gibt nur eine Erklärung :früh stirbt, wen die Götter lieben.... Lipatti, Sultanov, Tamarkina, Kapell.....

thanks! I'll order it!

nice !

Yes, Music & Arts CD 1109. Rachmaninov+Khachaturian (Eugene Ormandy)

Never knew this existed.

Where did this recording come from? It was never released commercially AFAIK.

Magnificent performance. Is this existing on CD ',

Is this available on CD?

Was this ever released commercially?

Kaapell or Bernstein?

This is a wonderful recording. If you haven't already, check out Krystian Zimerman playing this concerto. I feel like his interpretation connects more with mine than Kapell's. But Kapell still did an amazing job. Can't wait for the concerto competition in a few weeks.

Mark - did you know that he was a relative of mine?

so all the people that accused the unsentimental richter from poland will find a similar even if different in detail, concept of the work with the same utmost pianistic perfection...will they attack Kapell also?

He plays the opening chords simultaneously the way they are written.Too bad only he, Richter, and Lugansky are up to it.With dozens of second rate performances available, it is a miracle that this superb rendition has survived.I believe this performance with Bernstein is even more magnificent than the one with Steinberg.