BaL 25.06.22 - Rachmaninov: Symphony no 2

[gradus]

Gosh I would get a copy of the Previn to supplement it . Its fabulous . I have found a cheap RCA CD of the uncut Ormandy online and look forward to its arrival.

Perhaps I should have added that I haven't bought CDs for some years and listen mostly to R3 and streaming, thus have heard and enjoyed a number of other Rach 2 recordings.

[jayne lee wilson]

Surprised that Rozhdestvensky gets comparatively little attention for No.2, as his LSO version, spectacularly recorded in All Saints Tooting is just overwhelming. IM in G-1/89 rated it as easily a match for Previn or Ashenkazy; JJ concurred on the reissue in 2005. I would prefer it to either, for sound as well as highly individual but always convincing musical sense. Rozh creates an orchestral character with the best of both Russian and Western worlds and - wow! Strings full, gutty and muscular, primary winds, stunning brasses - blazingly prominent but cleanly articulated.

You even get the collector's-item exposition repeat, in a 24'30 first movement. We're past 13' before the development begins... But believe me, you won't complain, craving more, again, as it flows into view...

Glorious account available on Regis, and sounding wonderful on Qobuz tonight....

[Lordgeous]

I wonder what he'll think of the new John Wilson recording? Anyone have it?

[Nick Armstrong]

I wonder what he'll think of the new John Wilson recording? Anyone have it?

Posted this on the New Releases thread:

The new Rachmaninov 2nd Symphony from John Wilson and the Sinfonia of London sounds like a cracker, judging by the second movement played yesterday morning Great balance of impetus and expression. Set up for a full listen asap

Did you hear Saturday’s CD Review? The movement was played during the first half-hour of the programme.

[Bryn]

Posted this on the New Releases thread:



Did you hear Saturday’s CD Review? The movement was played during the first half-hour of the programme.

I might have to reconsider my antipathy towards Wilson's approach to rhythm. That Allegro Molto was, indeed, rather well done.

[jayne lee wilson]

I wonder what he'll think of the new John Wilson recording? Anyone have it?

Review here with comparisons... someone else who loves the Rozh as much as I do.... (and a link to someone else who, well, doesn't quite..but I think Quinn misses the point of Rozh's measured tempi in the scherzo: it allows greater contrast with the faster middle section, which is all the more dramatic as a result... brilliantly done by the LSO)..

https://www.musicwebinternational.com/2023/03/rachmaninov-symphony-no-2-chandos/

But I'd be surprised if any listener comes away from hearing Gennadi and the LSO in their soaringest of full flights without feeling at least some sense of awe; if any piece depends on its sheer sound, this one does; and the Regis has a wonderful realisation of it: warm, full, sensuous where apt, but textural depth and very clear-cut phrasing too.

Reminds me a little of Paray in Detroit - only better still, and without cuts...and as for the adagio - what a climax...!! I never heard it more overwhelming .....

[Barbirollians]

Review here with comparisons... someone else who loves the Rozh as much as I do.... (and a link to someone else who, well, doesn't quite..but I think Quinn misses the point of Rozh's measured tempi in the scherzo: it allows greater contrast with the faster middle section, which is all the more dramatic as a result... brilliantly done by the LSO)..

https://www.musicwebinternational.com/2023/03/rachmaninov-symphony-no-2-chandos/

But I'd be surprised if any listener comes away from hearing Gennadi and the LSO in their soaringest of full flights without feeling at least some sense of awe; if any piece depends on its sheer sound, this one does; and the Regis has a wonderful realisation of it: warm, full, sensuous where apt, but textural depth and very clear-cut phrasing too.

Reminds me a little of Paray in Detroit - only better still, and without cuts...and as for the adagio - what a climax...!! I never heard it more overwhelming .....

Rozhdestvensky is excellent and even makes the best possible case for the first movement repeat- LSO again . I had it on cassette and then CD from Pickwick . His Tchaikovsky 5 from the same label is pretty fab too.

[Barbirollians]

I might have to reconsider my antipathy towards Wilson's approach to rhythm. That Allegro Molto was, indeed, rather well done.

I suppose given the Philadelphia sound , Hollywood film music elements of Rachmaninov 2 it may be that Wilson's experience of film music comes into play . I was not at all taken with his raved about French music disc - sounded rather slick and soulless to me.

[Alison]

Not much depth of feeling in the John Wilson Rach 2 IMHO. Some well observed detail, particularly in the strings, but it’s all a little bland. I agree (ii) is the best movement - and (iv) the worst.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

... Hollywood film music elements of Rachmaninov 2 it may be that Wilson's experience of film music comes into play.

Surely it's the other way round? Rachmaninov 2 dates from 1908, long before the film world absorbed his style.

[Barbirollians]

Surely it's the other way round? Rachmaninov 2 dates from 1908, long before the film world absorbed his style.

What I meant was because of the influence Rachmaninov’s music seems to have had on Hollywood film music in its lush late romanticism that would be familiar to Wilson who is renowned for conducting those scores . By the sounds of Alison’s review not enough though.

[Barbirollians]

Thanks for the recommendation of Ormandy’s late RCA Rachmaninov 2 from 1973.

There may be better remasterings . The secondhand CD is in the RCA Victrola series from 1989 and there is some glare especially in the upper strings in the finale but what a full hearted lovely account it is . It does not quite shift the 1972 Previn out of my first place but is a recording I am now very glad to have.