Rachmaninov: Complete Symphonies

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Rachmaninov's three symphonies reflect three very different phases in his creative development: the first (1895) is a stormy synthesis of contemporary trends in Russian symphonic music, the Second... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Catalogue No: 7645302
Label: Warner Classics
Length: 3 hours 35 minutes

Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13

Work length45:15

Album only

London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn
Recorded: 1975-02-06
Recording Venue: 5 & 6 February 1975, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

I. Grave - Allegro ma non troppo

Track length13:34

Album only

II. Allegro animato

Track length9:26

$1.30

$1.70

III. Larghetto

Track length9:59

$1.30

$1.70

IV. Allegro con fuoco

Track length12:16

Album only

Rachmaninoff: The Isle of the Dead - Symphonic Poem, Op. 29

Work length21:10

Album only

London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn
Recorded: 1975-10-01
Recording Venue: October 1975: Kingsway Hall, London

Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27

Work length59:16

Album only

London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn
Recorded: 1973-01-04
Recording Venue: 3 & 4 January 1973, Kingsway Hall, London

I. Largo - Allegro moderato

Track length19:09

Album only

II. Scherzo (Allegro molto)

Track length10:07

Album only

III. Adagio

Track length15:44

Album only

IV. Allegro vivace

Track length14:16

Album only

Rachmaninoff: Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14

Work length6:37

$1.30

$1.70

London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn
Recorded: 1975-10-13
Recording Venue: 12 & 13 October 1975, Kingsway Hall, London

Rachmaninoff: Aleko (1985 - Remaster)

Work length8:12

$2.60

$3.40

London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn
Recorded: 1976-06-22
Recording Venue: 21 & 22 June 1976, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road (Intermezzo); 9 Dec 1976, Kingsway Hall (Dance) London

Intermezzo

Track length3:35

$1.30

$1.70

Women's Dance

Track length4:37

$1.30

$1.70

Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, Op.44 (1986 - Remaster)

Work length41:26

Album only

London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn
Recorded: 1976-06-22
Recording Venue: 21 & 22 June 1976: No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

I. Lento - Allegro moderato - Allegro

Track length15:27

Album only

II. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro vivace - Tempo come prima

Track length12:59

Album only

III. Allegro - Allegro vivace

Track length13:00

Album only

Rachmaninoff: Symphonic Dances, Op. 45

Work length34:50

Album only

London Symphony Orchestra
André Previn
Recorded: 1974-12-01
Recording Venue: December 1974: No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London

I. Non allegro

Track length11:31

Album only

II. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse)

Track length9:55

$1.30

$1.70

III. Lento assai - Allegro vivace

Track length13:24

Album only

Reviews
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Reviews

2010

Rachmaninov's three symphonies reflect three very different phases in his creative development: the first (1895) is a stormy synthesis of contemporary trends in Russian symphonic music, the Second (1906-7), an epic study in Tchaikovskian opulence, and the third (1935-6) a seemingly unstoppable stream of original ideas and impressions. The Second was the first to gain wide acceptance, and with good reason. It shares both the key and general mood of Tchaikovsky's Fifth. Cast in E minor, its initial gloom ultimately turns to triumph, and the symphony includes enough glorious melodies to keep Hollywood happy for decades.
The First Symphony had a difficult birth, largely through the incompetent musical midwifery of Alexander Glazunov whose conducting of the work's premiere apparently left much to be desired. However, it's an immensely promising piece and although undeniably the product of its times, prophetic not only of the mature Rachmaninov, but of other Northern voices, including – occasionally – the mature Sibelius. Both the Third Symphony and its near-contemporary, the Symphonic Dances find Rachmaninov indulging a fruitful stream of musical consciousness, recalling motives and ideas from earlier compositions, yet allowing gusts of fresh air to enliven and rejuvenate his style. Both works have yet to receive their full due in the concert hall, although the strongly evocative Isle of the dead is more securely embedded in the repertory.
What with these and a trio of warming shorter pieces, André Previn's mid-1970s LSO package is an excellent bargain. The performances are entirely sympathetic, avoiding familiar interpretative extremes such as slickness, bombast and emotional indulgence. Previn shows particular understanding of the Third Symphony, the Symphonic Dances and The isle of the dead, works that represent Rachmaninov at his most innovative and assured. The Second Symphony is played without cuts (not invariably the case, even today) and the recordings are generous in tone and revealing of detail.

Rachmaninov: Complete Symphonies

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