VA - Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2. Piano Concerto No.3. Symphonic Dances (2 CDs) (2009)

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VA - Rachmaninov: Symphony No.2. Piano Concerto No.3. Symphonic Dances (2 CDs) (2009)

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EMI's two-disc set Rachmaninov: Orchestral Works offers listeners a solid foundation of the Russian composer's symphonic literature. As with many collections that call upon existing recordings to combine into one anthology, performance quality varies.

Disc 1 opens with a moving, breathtaking interpretation of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony performed by the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra under Mariss Jansons. After the stunning failure of his First Symphony, Rachmaninov switched gears considerably for his second, favoring a much more sweeping, romantic concept. Jansons' orchestra follows suit, sounding much less like a Russian orchestra and more like a Western European one, producing a sound aesthetic that will likely please most listeners. Disc 1 concludes with an infrequently performed filler piece, The Isle of the Dead, given an appropriately brooding performance by the London Symphony Orchestra and André Previn. The Third Piano Concerto starts off disc 2, with Leif Ove Andsnes at the piano and Paavo Berglund leading the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. Recorded sound quality of this live performance is more problematic than the exciting execution itself. The volume level is quite low, making listeners really crank it up to hear anything during soft sections, and balance between piano and orchestra unduly favors the orchestra and is not sufficiently clear. EMI saves the best for last with the dazzling, dynamic 1974 recording of the Symphonic Dances, again with Previn and the LSO. With the possible exception of the Piano Concerto, this collection makes a fine introduction to Rachmaniniov's orchestral works. ~ Mike D. Brownell, Rovi

CD 1
1. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor Op. 27: I. Largo St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Leningrad)/Mariss Jansons 4:16
2. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor Op. 27: Allegro Moderato St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Leningrad)/Mariss Jansons 13:32
3. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor Op. 27: II. Scherzo (Allegro Molto) St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Leningrad)/Mariss Jansons 9:31
4. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor Op. 27: III. Adagio St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Leningrad)/Mariss Jansons 13:51
5. Symphony No. 2 In E Minor Op. 27: IV. Allegro Vivace St Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra (Leningrad)/Mariss Jansons 13:34
6. The Isle Of The Dead Op. 29 (1985 Digital Remaster) London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn 21:10

CD 2
1. Concerto For Piano and Orchestra No. 3 Op. 30: I. Allegro Ma Non Tanto Leif Ove Andsnes/Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Paavo Berglund 16:48
2. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 Op. 30: II. Intermezzo (Adagio) Leif Ove Andsnes/Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Paavo Berglund 10:23
3. Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No. 3 Op. 30: III. Finale (Alla Breve) Leif Ove Andsnes/Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra/Paavo Berglund 14:42
4. Symphonic Dances Op. 45 (1985 Digital Remaster): I. Non Allegro London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn 11:31
5. Symphonic Dances Op. 45 (1985 Digital Remaster): II. Andante Con Moto (Tempo Di Valse) London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn 9:55
6. Symphonic Dances Op. 45 (1985 Digital Remaster): III. Lento Assai - Allegro Vivace London Symphony Orchestra/André Previn 13:24