Rachmaninov Symphony No 1

[Barbirollians]

I note we do not seem to have ever had a thread about this work . I have always had a soft spot for Ormandy but I imagine there are cuts somewhere. I have the later Svetlanov which I have always enjoyed but wonder whether I should add the USSR SO version ? Ashkenazy and Previn not at their very best in this work I think.

[richardfinegold]

I note we do not seem to have ever had a thread about this work . I have always had a soft spot for Ormandy but I imagine there are cuts somewhere. I have the later Svetlanov which I have always enjoyed but wonder whether I should add the USSR SO version ? Ashkenazy and Previn not at their very best in this work I think.

I have Ormandy on lp. I have to admit that I have never developed much of an affection for this work and I fear that Ceaser Cui may have been on to something...

[gradus]

It does tend to grind you down, not the piece to choose if you feel a bit low but in my experience overwhelmingly powerful in the concert hall. I have several recordings but its one of those pieces I rarely choose to listen to.

[cloughie]

It does tend to grind you down, not the piece to choose if you feel a bit low but in my experience overwhelmingly powerful in the concert hall. I have several recordings but its one of those pieces I rarely choose to listen to.

It is a work I love for its raw energy - an early Artia LP (Leningrad PO/Sanderling) was my first encounter - who owns that now and will we ever see it on CD. Ormandy and Svetlanov are good and USSRRTVSO/Rozhdestvensky on a cheap Russian label keeps up the raw appeal - I hve recently ordered his Sym 3 on the same label at no great personal cost hoping it will be equally raw and Russian.

[Stanfordian]

I note we do not seem to have ever had a thread about this work . I have always had a soft spot for Ormandy but I imagine there are cuts somewhere. I have the later Svetlanov which I have always enjoyed but wonder whether I should add the USSR SO version ? Ashkenazy and Previn not at their very best in this work I think.

I love the Rachmaninov Symphony No. 1 and play it more than his two mature other symphonies. Robert Simpson greatly admired the First, considering it “probably the finest Russian symphony since Tchaikovsky’s.” I highly rate the new release from the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra/Vasily Petrenko on Warner. In addition I admire the accounts from the LSO/André Previn on EMI and Philadelphia Orchestra/Eugene Ormandy on Sony.

[BBMmk2]

It was Andrew Litton's cycle of Rachmaninov, that really started me to listen more.

[akiralx]

Ashkenazy or (perhaps even better) Pletnev on DG for me.

[verismissimo]

... I have the later Svetlanov which I have always enjoyed but wonder whether I should add the USSR SO version ?...

That USSRSSO/Svetlanov is the only one I've ever had. Melodiya LP, bought in Moscow in the 80s? I'll give it a spin (for the first time since...).

[Pabmusic]

I note we do not seem to have ever had a thread about this work . I have always had a soft spot for Ormandy but I imagine there are cuts somewhere. I have the later Svetlanov which I have always enjoyed but wonder whether I should add the USSR SO version ? Ashkenazy and Previn not at their very best in this work I think.

Paavo Järvi is quite good.

You're right - there used to be cuts, but not now for years.

[Oliver]

It's never been a favourite of mine. I bought the Jansons/St Petersburg version on EMI-Gramophone's recommendation- about a decade ago. It sounds tame and the recording is rather murky. The conductor has apparently added extra timpani parts to liven proceedings up- evidently he shared my view.
On the subject of cuts, wasn't its first LP appearance (Ormandy?) on three sides?
The trumpet fanfare at the beginning of the last movement used to be the signature tune of Panorama on BBC. An hour of political news, discussion and documentaries-
O tempes, O mores.

[verismissimo]

That USSRSSO/Svetlanov is the only one I've ever had. Melodiya LP, bought in Moscow in the 80s? I'll give it a spin (for the first time since...).

It's a remarkably vibrant performance. As someone said recently the USSRSSO under Svetlanov was an orchestra with a real voice.

[Barbirollians]

It's a remarkably vibrant performance. As someone said recently the USSRSSO under Svetlanov was an orchestra with a real voice.

Bought the Regis CD of this performance - red in tooth and claw stuff . I am increasingly impressed with Svetlanov's recordings he could build up tremendous intensity with this orchestra.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I
The trumpet fanfare at the beginning of the last movement used to be the signature tune of Panorama on BBC.

That's how I first got to know it - having heard this extract, I was keen to hear more. At that time, it was generally considered that Rachmaninov wrote only 2 symphonies - the 2nd and the 3rd!

[edashtav]

I have Ormandy on lp. I have to admit that I have never developed much of an affection for this work and I fear that Ceaser Cui may have been on to something...

There'a a fine blog on the day that Vladimir Jurowski consulted Ormandy's performing materials in the Philly's archives:

https://uniqueatpenn.wordpress.com/2014/10/26/vladimir-jurowski-studies-eugene-ormandys-changes-to-a-rachmaninoff-symphony/

[Stanfordian]

I note we do not seem to have ever had a thread about this work . I have always had a soft spot for Ormandy but I imagine there are cuts somewhere. I have the later Svetlanov which I have always enjoyed but wonder whether I should add the USSR SO version ? Ashkenazy and Previn not at their very best in this work I think.

Hiya Barbirollians,

I think that the First Symphony is the finest of Rachmaninov's three. I especially admire the stunning account from the RLPO under Vasily Petrenko on Warner.