BaL 4.02.12 - Rachmaninov's Symphony no. 2 in E minor

[Pabmusic]

One of my favourites! I don't think it's complete - the usual cuts with a playing time of around 49 minutes?

That could well be so - it was usual before (?) Previn's LSO version.

[amateur51]

I agree, that's a fantastic performance, and I'm not sure that Jack Brymer's rendition of the slow movement clarinet solo has ever been bettered. But Ivan Fischer/BFO runs it pretty close I think, and in a superb modern recording as well.

Around the time that the Previn recording came out I sat in the choir seats at RFH for a performance given by the LSO/Previn and can report that the top of Jack Brymer's bald head went a deep rose colour as he worked his magic in the slow movement

[BBMmk2]

What dp people think of the Andtrew Litton recording. I do not think that was on the list that EA provided? I quite enjioy it, like the other recordings he has made of Nos1 and 3.

[cloughie]

There is of course this, from the mid-50s (so I guess it was one of the first recordings): http://www.soundstagedirect.com/sir-...vinyl-lp.shtml

The interpretation is fine, of course, but the LPO wasn't at its best, which does show. It seems to me to be complete (ie: without cuts) but I haven't followed it through with a score.

I have this as a Belart CD, now available, it appears, at some silly inflated price on Amazon - My long-term favourite, which suffers cuts less than most
50s' recordings is LenPO Sanderling on DG, deleted but a few used copies available on Amazon at reasonable prices!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

What dp people think of the Andtrew Litton recording. I do not think that was on the list that EA provided? I quite enjioy it, like the other recordings he has made of Nos1 and 3.

I've just added this to the list as it's available in the UK as a download.

[Pabmusic]

I've just added this to the list as it's available in the UK as a download.

As is the Boult: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rachmaninoff...839030&sr=8-17

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Duly noted and amended.

[Barbirollians]

LSO/Previn for me too . Though the recent Pappano comes close .

[Mr Pee]

LSO/Previn for me too . Though the recent Pappano comes close .

Oh yes- I agree about the Pappano. I haven't listened to it for a while, but did so today and it is absolutely superb.

[Roehre]

LSO/Previn for me too . Though the recent Pappano comes close .

Fully agree with Barbirollians and Mr.Pee (and others re Previn/LSO).
Btw, the Previn was my first Rachmaninov LP ever (even before the 2nd concerto ).

[Pabmusic]

LSO/Previn for me too . Though the recent Pappano comes close .

Agree entirely.

[Nachtigall]

Haven't listened to the Second Symphony for a long time but, like others here, wouldn't want to be without either the LSO/Previn or Concertgebouw/Ashkenazy. I appear also to have the Philadelphia/Ormandy and RPO/Litton recordings as well as the BBCNOW/Tadaaki Otawa but couldn't say what these were like offhand.

The recording I'm most attached to for sentimental, nostalgic reasons is the DG of Kurt Sanderling and the Leningrad Philharmonic, issued in 1956 and reissued on DG Originals, a mono only recording but still very good, a dark-hued, lush and classy performance. I remember using it as the basis for a talk to a Sixth Form music class when I was a mere teenager.

[amateur51]

The recording I'm most attached to for sentimental, nostalgic reasons is the DG of Kurt Sanderling and the Leningrad Philharmonic, issued in 1956 and reissued on DG Originals, a mono only recording but still very good, a dark-hued, lush and classy performance. I remember using it as the basis for a talk to a Sixth Form music class when I was a mere teenager.

I've only heard this perfoermance once, played on Classic Collection I think, and I fully agree Nachtigall.

It's on my list

[Nachtigall]

Having described it as "dark-hued, lush and classy" I thought I'd better listen to Sanderling's Leningrad recording again! It's all of these, but I'd forgotten just how vigorous, dynamic, almost aggressive it is at times. Just listen to the second movement, the Scherzo! God, the Leningrad orchestra were on top form then, as they were in Mravinsky's Tchaikovsky recordings. Unreservedly recommended!

[cloughie]

I've only heard this perfoermance once, played on Classic Collection I think, and I fully agree Nachtigall.

It's on my list

Am51, May I draw your attention to my post #19 re its availability.