Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

[Maestro267]

Probably better than the Jansons/St. Petersburg. You can hardly hear the tam-tam in that one.

[Lisztianwagner]

I'm looking for a good Symphonic Dances with cataclysmic-sounding tam-tam strokes at the end. The traditionally-recced recording of Jansons doesn't cut the mustard for me. I'm gutted Noseda and BBC Philharmonic didn't record it in their otherwise excellent traversal of the symphonies.

You may also try Ashkenazy/Concertgebouw Orchestra, it's very thrilling, with powerful strokes of percussion in the finale.

[Florestan]

Edo de Waart / London PO.

[Symphonic Addict]

The final tam-tam stroke here is quite noticeable and reverberates fantastically:

[LKB]

I've enjoyed Ashkenazy with the RCO on Decca since buying the CD back in the '80's.

While I'm not sure I'd describe the tam-tam at the end with the word " cataclysmic ", on the whole it's an excellent recording.

[relm1]

I've enjoyed Ashkenazy with the RCO on Decca since buying the CD back in the '80's.

While I'm not sure I'd describe the tam-tam at the end with the word " cataclysmic ", on the whole it's an excellent recording.

I think we've been weaned in to hearing bigger tam-tam at the end over the years.  I recall the excellent Ashkenazy as having a blazing end when I first heard it but hearing it yesterday, it felt so mannered.  I then thought surely the Russians won't disappoint and after hearing Kondrashin, Rozhdestvensky, and Svetlanov - all seemed timid in their final tam-tam.  More recent performances seem to let it pop out more but now, they seem climactic but definitely not cataclysmic. 

[Madiel]

Back in the day, tam-tam players had style.

[LKB]

Back in the day, tam-tam players had style.

There is such a thing as too much style...

Before l took up the oboe, l was a percussionist, mainly playing timpani. The season finale for my college's orchestra was the Mussorgsky-Ravel Pictures at an Exhibition ( which we in the drum line called " Pictures of an Execution ", in reference to the rather dubious quality displayed by the strings in a few unfortunate places ).

As y'all are aware, the piece finishes in spectacular fashion. Triumphant E-Flat Major chords resound, with alternating bell and tam-tam framing the victorious orchestral eruptions.

So we're maybe thirty seconds from the end, and while executing the rather basic timpani part I'm also listening to the bell and the tam-tam. All in all the orchestra has done ok, I'm thinking, when...

CRASH!

I look over to see the guy on tam-tam staring at his charge, which is now flat on the stage apparently impersonating a rather unusual wok.

Props to the conductor for not having a meltdown. I kept on going without a blink, thinking, " Glad that wasn't me. "

Too much style, indeed.

[Madiel]

I was basically joking, but it was totally worth it for prompting that anecdote.

[kyjo]

The final tam-tam stroke here is quite noticeable and reverberates fantastically:

Damn, what great cover art!

[Symphonic Addict]

Damn, what great cover art!

The same applies to the performance of the Rachmaninov (I don't recall hearing the Janacek yet). I really like it.

[Maestro267]

Today is the big day! Happy 150th, Sergei!

[listener]

new work discovered!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWangPfMb9o

[Lisztianwagner]

new work discovered!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWangPfMb9o

Nice! 

[vandermolen]

new work discovered!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWangPfMb9o

[Pohjolas Daughter]

new work discovered!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWangPfMb9o

Booooo!   

PD