Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13 (lost; reconstructed from piano duets and orch. fragments): Grave - Allegro ma non troppo
2. Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13 (lost; reconstructed from piano duets and orch. fragments): Allegro animato
3. Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13 (lost; reconstructed from piano duets and orch. fragments): Larghetto
4. Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 13 (lost; reconstructed from piano duets and orch. fragments): Allegro con fuoco
5. Symphonic Dances, for orchestra (or 2 pianos), Op. 45: No. 1, Non allegro-Lento-Tempo I in C minor
6. Symphonic Dances, for orchestra (or 2 pianos), Op. 45: No. 2, Andante con moto (Tempo di valse) in G minor
7. Symphonic Dances, for orchestra (or 2 pianos), Op. 45: No. 3, Lento assai-Allegro vivace in D minor

Disc 2:

1. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: Largo - Allegro Moderato
2. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: Allegro Molto
3. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: Adagio
4. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27: Allegro Vivace
5. The Isle of the Dead, symphonic poem, Op. 29

Disc 3:

1. Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44: I. Lento - Allegro Moderato - Allegro
2. Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44: II. Adagio Ma Non Troppo - Allegro
3. Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44: III. Allegro - Allegro Vivace
4. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus & orchestra, Op. 35: I. Allegro, Ma Non Tanto
5. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus & orchestra, Op. 35: II. Lento - Adagio
6. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus & orchestra, Op. 35: III. Presto
7. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus & orchestra, Op. 35: IV. Lento Lugubre - Allegro - Andante

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11364 in Music
• Released on: 1998-02-10
• Number of discs: 3
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .43 pounds

Customer Reviews

Focused and Clean Playing coupled with Russian conducting
This particular collection of Rachmaninov's symphonies is my personal favorite. In particular, the 2nd symphony stands out as being not only the highlight of the set but my favorite performance to date. Andre Previn's recording of the 2nd is a good one as well, but when you compare the playing of the Concertgebouw with the orchestra on Previn's recording, you can immediately tell there is a different level of ability in the orchestras. There is a strong cohesiveness in the playing that is not evident in the Previn performance. Also, Ashkenazy is more convincing in how he builds the Adagio (3rd movement).

The first and third symphonies are also very well played and are great performances. Although, neither have attained the status of popularity as that of the second, both are important pieces of music in the Rachmaninov repetoire. Ashkenazy brings as much attention to detail and feeling on these two symphonies as he does on Symphony No. 2.

The 'filler' pieces actually are some of the true highlights of the set. For example, you'll be hard pressed to find a better performance of "Isle of the Dead". First of all, it's not an often-recorded work, and second, Ashkenazy has a full sense of how this piece is supposed to work. Filled with darkness, the listener is sure to hear what Rachmaninov was trying to convey. The playing again is crisp, detailed, and full (due to the excellent recording of London/Decca)

Definitive Recordings of Rachmaniov's Symphonies
Vladimir Ashkenazy's love of Rachmaninov's music is evident not only on the keyboard, but also at the podium. His conducting of Rachmaninov's music is absolutely first rate, with an ample mix of passion and precision. I am certain that these fine recordings undoubtedly helped raise his stature as a noteworthy conductor. Under his direction, Bernard Haitink's Concertgebouw Orchestra gives distinguished, technically perfect performances steeped in emotion. Their level of playing is superior to the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra's under Lorin Maazel's baton (Maazel and the BPO recorded a set of Rachmaninov's symphonies for Deutsche Grammophon around the time of Ashkenazy's recordings.). The best performance of Ashkenazy's Rachmaninov cycle has to be that of the Second Symphony, but the others, especially those of the tone poems, are almost as good too. Of course, Decca's sound engineers did a wonderful job capturing the Concertgebouw's (the orchestra's hall, that is) warm acoustics. If these aren't the definitive recordings of Rachmaniov's symphonies, then they ought to be.

"Rocky" Rules!
Three cd's, affordable price, quality recordings and most importantly beautiful music. All of the discs are worth your time but the best is the second one.The Isle of the Dead is entrancing. Its dark, foreboding theme builds and crashes time and time again. The second symphony can leave me in tears. The 3rd movement to me is what it sounds like to fall in love. A note played near the end of the piece breaks my heart everytime I hear it. The 4th movement ends with such an explosion that I sometimes laugh due to being overwhelmed by the pounding sounds of triumph!This is very powerful music. If you like lush orchestral works I can't think of a better set to own.