Pianists Daniil Trifonov and Sergei Babayan - "Rachmaninoff for 2" Album - Music Box, May 13th, 2024

One of the most beautiful themes in music history-the slow third movement of Serghei Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2-is presented here in a two-piano arrangement by one of today's most celebrated pianists, Daniil Trifonov, and performed by Trifonov and his mentor, Sergei Babayan, at Vienna's Konzerthaus in July 2023.

To me, this was one of the most moving moments on the albumRachmaninoff for 2, released by Deutsche Grammophon on March 29th.

In 2023, marking the 150th anniversary of Serghei Rachmaninoff's birth, performances of his works became focal points across concert seasons and record labels. Rachmaninoff for 2 continues this celebration into 2024, offering outstanding interpretations of some of Rachmaninoff's key works for two pianos: the two suites, Op. 5 and Op. 17, the Symphonic Dances, Op. 45-which Rachmaninoff composed alongside his orchestral version-and Trifonov's brand newtranscription of one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written by Rahmaninov, Symphony No. 2's third movement.

Undoubtedly, we're witnessing extraordinary performances by two pianists deeply rooted in Russian pianistic spirit and tradition, the same soil that nourished Rachmaninoff's music. Two pianists who, like Serghei Rahmaninov, both live in the United States: Trifonov studied with Babayan at the Curtis Institute in Philadelphia from 2009 to 2016 and now resides in New York, while Babayan, a 63-year-old Armenian pianist, emigrated to the U.S. in 1989 after winning the Cleveland International Competition, which, upon his victory, launched his career on American stages and later established him as a professor-to this day, his most famous pupil remaining Daniil Trifonov.

More than teacher and student, it's clear to see that these two pianists share a nearly symbiotic connection, interpreting and feeling music with shared, refined sensibilities. One can't forget that his same quality shone on an earlier Deutsche Grammophon release featuring Babayan, Prokofiev for 2, where he performed alongside the renowned Martha Argerich. Babayan himself has noted that only with Argerich and Trifonov has he experienced such a deep musical connection.

This album was recorded in Vienna in July 2023, following a tour the two pianists went on in May 2023, with the same repertoire. The tour thrilled critics worldwide, who hailed it as a festival of pianistic virtuosity. In its May issue, Gramophone awarded the album "Editor's Choice," commenting, "We are treated to fresh, extraordinary original renditions of this exquisite repertoire-something like theater for piano-even skeptics will agree this is a truly inspiring performance."

Indeed, this album is inspiring and uplifting, especially in its rendition of Rachmaninoff's three Symphonic Dances for two pianos. This was the Russian composer's final major work, premiered in 1942, and performed alongside Rachmaninoff and Vladimir Horowitz. In this new interpretation, Trifonov and Babayan deliver a version of the highest artistic caliber, filled with virtuosity, lyricism, and a philosophical vision-a timeless performance by two of the greatest pianists of our time.