Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

[Cato]

I placed this on "What Are You Listening To?"


From this collection, the local classical station played Rachmaninov's Paganini Variations with Moshe Atzmon conducting the New Philharmonia Orchestra, Agustino Anievas the soloist.

[asin]B000UZ4EXY[/asin]

I missed parts of it, but from what I did hear...well, let's just say I have never heard a more manic, frantic, and demonic performance!  At times it seemed the  poor soloist  was barely keeping  up!  I would need to hear it again to give a full review, given that the car radio's quality is not as good as the home stereo.

But...wow!  Does anyone happen to have this collection?

[Karl Henning]

No, but I think some sampling is in order . . . .

[Jaakko Keskinen]

And what about his early two short string quartets from the time he was a student on the Conservatory? Only 2 movements each, but very well done.

+1 Both trio élégiaques are sheer beauty as well.

[Karl Henning]

Indeed.

Or, if you prefer, verily 

[North Star]

Indeed.

Or, if you prefer, verily 

Indeedily.

[Mirror Image]

Some recent Rachmaninov purchases:







Do any of you know any of these recordings? Some feedback would be great. Thanks.

[Lisztianwagner]

Do any of you know any of these recordings? Some feedback would be great. Thanks.

I know the Ashkenazy/Haitink Piano Concertos, that is a definitely beautiful set; very intense, passionate and powerful performances, they certainly stand the comparison with the Ashkenazy/Previn terribly well. You can't go wrong with Ashkenazy in Rachmaninov, so I wouldn't worry about the Piano Trios either.

[Brahmsian]

Some recent Rachmaninov purchases:


Do any of you know any of these recordings? Some feedback would be great. Thanks.

Hmmm, not familiar with this one?

[Mirror Image]

I know the Ashkenazy/Haitink Piano Concertos, that is a definitely beautiful set; very intense, passionate and powerful performances, they certainly stand the comparison with the Ashkenazy/Previn terribly well. You can't go wrong with Ashkenazy in Rachmaninov, so I wouldn't worry about the Piano Trios either.

Thanks, Ilaria. I listened to some of the Ashkenazy/Haitink set on Spotify and was immediately gripped by what I was hearing. Can't wait to dig into that set.

[Mirror Image]

Hmmm, not familiar with this one?

This is a reissue of the Svetlanov set. It's been remastered, too.

[Mirror Image]

Vesna (Spring), Op. 20



Spring (Vesna), Op. 20, is a single-movement cantata for baritone, chorus and orchestra, written by Sergei Rachmaninoff in 1902. The work was finished after the famous Second Piano Concerto. Rachmaninoff intended to revise the cantata's orchestration but never did so.

The work is based on a poem by Nikolay Nekrasov and describes the return of the Zelyoniy shum, or "green rustle". The poem tells of a husband who, fraught with murderous thoughts towards his unfaithful wife during the winter season, is ultimately freed from his frustration and choler by the return of spring.

[Article taken from Wikipedia]

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Spring, for me, is one of those works that seems relatively hidden in Rachmaninov's oeuvre. I wouldn't say it's a 'hidden gem' as it has received several performances, but it's not a work that's discussed much (for whatever reasons). Personally, I think it's one of his best, although that's a pretty large list. I can't say I have a favorite performance right now, but Kitajenko's on Chandos with Jorma Hynninen and Danish National Symphony Orchestra & Chorus is quite impressive. I would say that the traits I mostly associate with Rachmaninov's music like the feelings associated with yearning and sadness are quite present in Spring. Simply put: a must-hear for anyone who hasn't heard the work yet.

Any fans of this work here?

[Mirror Image]

The Isle of the Dead, Op. 29



Described by Stravinsky as "six feet two inches of Russian gloom," Rachmaninov was attracted by the Dies irae theme, a melody used in the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead, or Requiem Mass. He very frequently quoted or alluded to this theme in his compositions, including the The Isle of the Dead, regarded as the quintessential expression of the composer's melancholy. This work was inspired by the painting by Swiss artist Arnold Böcklin. Böcklin's haunting painting depicts an island, in front of which stands a barricade of stones. Further out from it, jutting high out of the sea, is a huge rock, within which are large chambers for the dead. A boat can be seen on the waters operated by a black-clad helmsman, whose white-robed passenger stands ghost-like. Rachmaninov's composition begins with rhythmic motif played by muted cellos and harp, suggesting the movement of the dark waters near the barricade surrounding the lifeless isle. A somber second theme, presented by French horn, reinforces the despondent mood. Soon there are hints of the Dies irae theme, after which the opening motif returns. The music then becomes restless and intense, the tempo increasing, orchestral colors appearing. A climax is reached and the material from the opening reappears, now fuller and agitated. Finally the music subsides, but afterwards there are more allusions to the Dies irae melody. A new theme appears, on strings and reeds, and rises to an impassioned climax, the music yearning, struggling, it seems, to offer some consolation or hoping to escape this strange world. A further climactic episode ensues, after which the fragment of the Dies irae once more dominates this grim musical landscape. Afterward the music fades, and the dark material of the opening returns. Just before the ending there comes a nearly full statement of the Dies irae melody.

[Article taken from All Music Guide]

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The Isle of the Dead, for me, is one of the greatest pieces of music ever composed. I mean it has everything. It certainly is leaps and bounds ahead of so many symphonic poems of the time in terms of thematic development, pure musical invention, and, it's just plain old good fun, but not without an emotional depth to it that makes you think and actually really see Bocklin's vision in music. A masterpiece without hesitation. Any favorite performances? I really like Ashkenazy's, but I think he has been superseded by Svetlanov. I heard Polyansky's is really good, so I'll definitely give this one a listen (it's in the Complete Edition on Brilliant Classics).

[Jaakko Keskinen]

I prefer The Rock. 

[Mirror Image]

I prefer The Rock. 

Okay?

[Lisztianwagner]

I absolutely agree, The Isle of the Dead is a masterpiece, definitely one of my favourite tone poems. Brilliant orchestration, with passionate melodies, gorgeous climaxes and rich harmonies; the music is lyrical, powerfully suggestive and hauntingly beautiful, and it evokes so impressive images that is impossible not to be captured by it magic. My favourite performance of Rachmaninov's work is the Ashkenazy, no doubt.

[TheGSMoeller]

I absolutely agree, The Isle of the Dead is a masterpiece, definitely one of my favourite tone poems. Brilliant orchestration, with passionate melodies, gorgeous climaxes and rich harmonies; the music is lyrical, powerfully suggestive and hauntingly beautiful, and it evokes so impressive images that is impossible not to be captured by it magic. My favourite performance of Rachmaninov's work is the Ashkenazy, no doubt.

Easy choice for me as well. Thrilling!

[aukhawk]

I don't generally gravitate towards Ashkenazy, and I also have Litton, Pletnev and Svetlanov, but of these, Ashkenazy is easily the outstanding choice, for this wonderful piece of music - my favourite Rachmaninov after the Vespers.

[Mirror Image]

My favorite Isle of the Dead performance would probably go to Polyansky on Chandos. This is a very atmospheric reading but with plenty of drive where there needs to be. It's possibly the most eerie of all the other performances I know.

Appears on this recording:

[Cato]

My favorite Isle of the Dead performance would probably go to Polyansky on Chandos. This is a very atmospheric reading but with plenty of drive where there needs to be. It's possibly the most eerie of all the other performances I know.

Appears on this recording:

Yes, it is excellent: I always liked a recording with Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra.  Unfortunately I cannot find it on CD.  There is a similarly classic reading by Fritz Reiner and the Chicago Symphony on RCA.

https://www.youtube.com/v/V5-PeW66-W8

https://www.youtube.com/v/IIDzWd0Ifqc

[vandermolen]

My favorite Isle of the Dead performance would probably go to Polyansky on Chandos. This is a very atmospheric reading but with plenty of drive where there needs to be. It's possibly the most eerie of all the other performances I know.

Appears on this recording:

This is one of my favourite Rachmaninov CDs as the performances are great and it includes all the tone poems I think.