Rachmaninov - Symphony No.2

[hophmi]

Rozhdestvensky does it this way as well. I think this is the way to go, but it is not Rachmaninoff's way. Rachmaninoff eschewed sentimentality in performance, even though his music is permeated with it.

[snaaptaker]

Until recently, there was a video of the complete performance posted on YT. Unfortunately, it was taken off (or, rather, it went private) before I finished watching it.

I should have downloaded it immediately. Damn!!!

[fledgehog]

1:14-1:20 feels like time has stopped. Svetlanov's sense of melodic phrasing and his ability to bend time for the entire orchestra as easily as if it were a single instrument never ceases to amaze me.

[helmsdeep84]

this would have been even better if it was the whole movement...

[acaStrahota]

Odlicno!

[Prokchops]

This is by far the best recording of this symphony I've heard. I only wish I could watch the full video!

[epjac2210]

I like Ashkenazy's direction of this Rachmaninoff's symphony. It's so perfect!!!

[MrParsifal9]

@epjac2210 the best rach 2 is Svetlanov

and the Bolshoi theatre orchestra 1964

[kaidaniev]

J'écoute cette symphonie depuis 35ans ... Toujours et toujours , dans cette interprétation insurpassable. C'est un miracle, une grâce à chaque fois ...!

I 've listened to this symphony for 35 years ...and always in this incredible version.

A miracle, a grace every time ...!

[JohnLowe86]

Absolutely awesome. Thank you for posting this.

[jsteinray]

Amazing

[jsteinray]

Amazing!

[svrfan]

wonderful, but where is the rest of the performance?

[BrucknerMotet]

Is it me, or is someone rotating the "record volume" dial on this piece? Did some sound engineer decide to play Conductor (aka God) and exercise absolute control over dynamics?

[huhas1]

@BrucknerMotet It is you!!

[helmsdeep84]

this is probably the most moving adagio of any symphony out there....the third movement is just divine, nay heavenly....

[luxmundi6]

oh, please, where is the whole concert??!!!

[tarantellaonline]

Another order better than the Andre Previn/LSO in the 1970's. It is the nuances and the suspensions that make this movement so beautiful.

[vlad12]

...so agree..!!

[obiwan88]

Wow, this is a very very good rendition, even better than Rozhdestvensky's version with LSO

[gamma357]

I'd do anything to see this live and as beautiful as this....Such perfect music.

[tinyctlo]

1:17 0 gravity!!!!

[zincalloy2]

This is my favorite symphony. Up to this point, my favorite version is the 1947 recording of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra under Dimitri Mitropoulos. This version is gorgeous. I would certainly love to hear the rest of this recording. Does one exist?

[billyguns2]

You must try to get the live Mitropoulos/NY Philharmonic recording; it's unforgettable, probably one of the greatest performances of a symphony ever recorded. No other recording compares, not even his Minneapolis version. Sanderling from Russia comes close, long out of print but I think once on DGG Originals.

[earthatic]

A really beautiful version.

[Lonegan63]

Simply the best version. Por dios que alguien lo diga ya. Svetlanov es uno de los mejores directores de la historia. Tanto Karajan o Bernstein coño..

[peterlunow]

Thanks Dimosol!!!!!

[guetaria]

Increible, maravilloso...

[peterlunow]

does anybody know if there is a recording of this symphony under Svetlanov???

[Dimosol]

Yes - on BMG/Melodiya. All three symphonies in a set. May even be out on Brilliant Classics?

[kaidaniev]

this recording exists ( with the same performers), issued by BMG (the 3 symphonies and Vocalise). I think it's, by far, the the best interpretation of these works. Very moving to imagine these musicians, living in a freeless society, playing such an emotional music. Excuse my english !

[luxmundi6]

@kaidaniev thank you very much for the information!!! cheers!!

[adambomb30]

@peterlunow Svetlanov recorded the Rachmaninov symphonies/orchestral works twice that I know of. One set is on melodiya/bmg from the 70's and the other set recorded in 1996 for Canyon Classics. I like both sets but the set for canyon classics is my favorite. Nobody does Russian romantic music like Svetlanov.

[furtbpo]

@adambomb30 Yeah～Since I every heard Svetlanov's Rach No.2, I thought Rozhdestvinsky/LSO is the best. But Svetlanov's version is like a flash shooting me. I can't agree with you more that nobody does Russian romantic music like Svetlanov.Best Rach No.2 Ever

[adambomb30]

@furtbpo I think Svetlanov was one of the few conductors who really loved the music he conducted and it shows in his recordings.

[peterlunow]

I've known this music since I was a child ,but THIS performance is the most touching and moving I've EVER heard!It's inhumane that its only 4 minutes,but still:its enough to rip my heart out.thank you so much!!!!

[billyguns2]

Svetlanov is one of the great conductors, largely unknown and underappreciated. May I also direct you to the live New York Philharmonic performance of this work under the unbelievably passionate direction of Dmitri Mitropoulos? I think it's the equal of this one.

[301250]

Where is the beginning of this movement, and the 1st, 2nd and 4th? it would be great to have them here. Thanks nonetheless for this snippet. sd goh (malaysia)

[leontud]

This is by far the best version ever.

[leontud]

nothing compares to this version. if you dont feel it, then you must be dead.

[peterlunow]

you took the words from my mouth:-)!

[snaaptaker]

I heard Svetlanov's recording of this on the radio more than 50 years ago. It brought tears to my eyes and I could not move from my seat until the entire symphony was done.

I had almost forgotten. Now I'll have to go somewhere and find that album.

Thanks for reminding me.

[MIFFLISH]

More! 4 minuets just isn't enough! Its just to beautiful, I have never heard anything like this. Rachmaninov is to my ears as what Sammi is to my eyes.

Just so you know Sammi is a VERY beautiful girl.

[cromulentinnoc3nce]

Who the hell is Sammi?

[billyguns2]

One of the greatest symphonic movements ever created; many thanks for posting this beautiful performance.

[mirzam9]

I think Rachmaninoff 'pathos' is the last of the true romantics and reflects back to the experiences in his life...a true artist of the heart !

[ArturoAlejandroS]

Rachmaninov was a genius,he had a special sensibility that can be compared with Beethoven or Mozart,he was different to the another people in the expression that he could achieve.That's is a great point for a composer.A Levitan of the music.

[olga2809]

Russian orchestras are so beautiful!

[GudrunO]

I'd like to see a video of the 2nd Symphony from Sinfonia Varsovia with José Cura conducting.

Believe me, the most emotional interpretation I've ever heard.

Does anybody have one?

[Tompa4321]

Strange. I clicked on reply...

Well, this is what I aggreed with:

"A marvellous conductor, the best for russian repertoire, I'm astonished..."

[miracleromano]

*sigh*

[BettyOliv]

Impressionantemente belo! Rachmaninoff nos deixou, mas sua obra continua falando conosco, atingindo profundamente nosso ser. Realmente belo!

[allstarIII]

I love this; it brings back old memories..:-)

[friendlybarman]

This great music needs a good film, a great one, full or romanticism and all that.

[helloviolindonna]

man, this piece is so tragically romantic. It reminds me of an old casablanca movie.

[NZtegmen]

wow. excellent playing of this movement. not like any cd version i own

[fabianovogt]

A marvellous conductor, the best for russian repertoire, I'm astonished...

[Tompa4321]

I agree with you. :)

[YTM021807]

Great understanding and feeling.

[ihvamullet2]

i recently played he second movement and loved it but i cant find a video of it anywhere

[Arrangerr]

perfect..

[ohdannyb0i]

God, I love this symphony. Why aren't there more videos of it.