A magnificent performance of a magnificent work. I already wrote about the version by the Borodin Trio. This version is different in that it is darker, and with a more pronounced piano. That piano is so dominating, it sounds like it is leading the trio. It fits: Rachmaninov was a piano player himself, and this work is sometimes considered a piano concerto with strings.
That piano is played by Yevgeni Svetlanov, who later famously conducted the USSR State Orchestra. In that capacity he recorded many operas, which is where I know the name from. However, this recording was made in 1960, when Svetlanov was still in the market for chamber music. At that time, the violinist Leonid Kogan was at the height of his career. USSR recording company Melodiya liked to put the great stars together. They didn’t release it right away though: it took until 1973 until it was released, probably due to USSR quota.
A truly unique record, and a good comparison with the Borodin Trio recording.