Best interpretation of Rachmaninoff's 2nd or 3rd

[Vash01]

OK, they are different pieces of music but the composer is same. Whose musical interpretation do you like the best (interpreting Rachmaninoff's 2nd or 3rd concerto- or combination in the same program)?

 

[VIETgrlTerifa]

I wish you hadn't included both Rachmaninoff 2 and 3 together because it made it hard for me to choose, lol.
The three that stand out for me are M&D's 1994 LP, which I voted for, Lu Chen's 1996 LP, and Michelle Kwan's 1998/2002 SP.

 

[Vash01]

I forgot to add Midori's (Rach 3rd) from the 1992 Olympics.

 

[Germanice]

Defenitive Lulu's interpretation at Worlds 1996!
To me still the ultimate Ladies LP!

Anke

 

[icenut84]

I voted for Mishkutenok & Dmitriev. Others I liked were Abt (02), Kwan (98) and Chen (96).

 

[KwanFan1212]

Well, I voted for Jamie & David's Orchid because not only did I think it was an absolute masterpiece, but I wanted them to at least have one vote in the poll, and yes I know that is a bit sad but oh well, LOL

Anyway, my absolute fave is MKs Rach though. Just an exquisite, wonderful program and I still get chills watching it. A close second would be Lulu's program though.

 

[Mathman]

Michelle's 1998 SP, especially her performance at Nationals, set a new standard for the Short Program.

MM

 

[Matt]

M/D's Rachmaninoff, though MK's is a real close 2nd

 

[floskate]

Kwan at '98 Nationals - a great contemporary take on this rather hackneyed piece of music - although I love it

 

[Antilles]

M&D, hands down. That was a stunning program.

 

[BronzeisGolden]

I would have to say Chen Lu's was the absolute best in my opinion. Michelle's 98 version was a very close second.

 

[Muse]

While Mishkutienok & Dmitriev ranks as one of my all-time favorite pairs skaters, and I was so awestruck at the end of their 94 long program, I gave the edge to Lulu because she really mesmerized and pleasantly surprised me with her different, softer approach to Rach. I love both programs, though!

 

[mk06gold]

Michelle all the way!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Michelle's was the best. Just like Peggy Flemming said in the 1998 Nationals. " I think this is going to be a singnature piece for Michelle." And she was right she used it in 2002 as well.

 

[show 42]

This was tough. I went with Michelle's 98 Rach, to me ground-breaking as far as short programs go. A close second would have been "The Orchid", my favorite Rach long program......42

 

[shine]

As good as MK's SP was, how can the program be counted as an "intepretation of Rach 3" when at least half of the program consisted of a whole other piece, and really only used one or so minutes of the hour-long piano concerto?

I picked M/D's 94 LP. I never understood the fuss of Chen's 96 LP, Butterfly Lovers is a far more effective program in terms of her intepretation as well as the choregraphy IMO.

The worst program belongs to Abt IMO. That program was just a mess. Cohen's is a close second.

 

[Vash01]

Actually Abt's Rach program was great at the Euro's in 2002 (and I think he was robbed there). He never skated it that well again, but I still enjoyed it.

 

[berthes ghost]

Actually Abt's Rach program was great at the Euro's in 2002 (and I think he was robbed there). He never skated it that well again, but I still enjoyed it.

I agree with Shine. Other than being clean, Abt's LP at Euros didn't have much going for it. Alexei's LP was light years ahead in terms of intricacy and dramatic impact IMHO, and apparently the judges agreed. It still boggles my mind when people put forward the "wuz robbed" card for this event.

 

[Vash01]

I agree with Shine. Other than being clean, Abt's LP at Euros didn't have much going for it. Alexei's LP was light years ahead in terms of intricacy and dramatic impact IMHO, and apparently the judges agreed. It still boggles my mind when people put forward the "wuz robbed" card for this event.

Alexei had a better LP but his skating in that competition was simply awful. He made several mistakes and did not deserve to win.

 

[Kasey]

Lu Lu's, followed closely by M&D.

 

[lavender]

Michelle by a landslide but I couldn't vote.