Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Sanderling, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
This powerful, subjective reading, recorded in Berlin in 1956 when Sanderling and the Leningrad Philharmonic were on tour, has long been one of the classics of the catalog. It harks back to a different era both in its expressive urgency and in the notably flexible manner in which tempo is treated: an era in which passionate, spontaneous, all-out playing was a characteristic of many of the world's greatest musicians, nowhere more than in Russia. Sanderling and the Leningraders impart a high profile to the symphony's many moods, so that the contrast between the gloom of the first movement's introductory Largo and the heart-on-sleeve lyricism that comes later is quite telling. The climaxes are incandescent, but their heat comes less from surface activity than from the pressure of a deep sense of gloom, a fatal undertow, that pervades the entire performance; the connection with Tchaikovsky's "Pathétique" Symphony No. 6 is abundantly clear. Although the sound is monaural, the overall balance and dynamic range are quite impressive. The only drawback is a cut about 10 minutes into the finale that makes the symphony's exultant conclusion seem oddly premature. --Ted Libbey

Tracks:

Pno Con No.1 in f #, Op.1: 1. Vivace
Pno Con No.1 in f #, Op.1: 2. Andante
Pno Con No.1 in f #, Op.1: 3. Allegro Vivace
Pno Con No.2 in c, Op.18: 1. Moderato
Pno Con No.2 in c, Op.18: 2. Adagio Sostenuto
Pno Con No.2 in c, Op.18: 3. Allegro Scherzando

Amazon.com

This is Sviatoslav Richter's only recording of the Rachmaninoff First Concerto, made in 1955. He plays the music with blazing excitement, powerfully supported by the excellent conducting of Kurt Sanderling. This performance is worth the very modest price of the CD, which is fortunate since we don't really need the recording of the Second Concerto, fine as it is. Richter's Warsaw recording of this piece (Deutsche Grammophon) is just as well played as this one, and the ringing clarity of DG's stereo represents his tone much better than the Soviet mono sound. --Leslie Gerber

Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Sanderling, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Great performance despite shortcomings
good, not great
Good but not great...
Legendary Performance and Recording now On CD
Orchestral playing of great beauty, fervour and intensity.

Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Sanderling, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Tchaikovsky / Karajan, Rostropovich,

ASIN: B000001GXP
Release Date: 1998-01-27

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2 in E minor: Largo - Allegro moderato
Symphony No. 2 in E minor: Allegro molto - Meno mosso - Tempo I
Symphony No. 2 in E minor: Adagio
Symphony No. 2 in E minor: Allegro vivace - Adagio - Tempo precedente

Amazon.com essential recording

This powerful, subjective reading, recorded in Berlin in 1956 when Sanderling and the Leningrad Philharmonic were on tour, has long been one of the classics of the catalog. It harks back to a different era both in its expressive urgency and in the notably flexible manner in which tempo is treated: an era in which passionate, spontaneous, all-out playing was a characteristic of many of the world's greatest musicians, nowhere more than in Russia. Sanderling and the Leningraders impart a high profile to the symphony's many moods, so that the contrast between the gloom of the first movement's introductory Largo and the heart-on-sleeve lyricism that comes later is quite telling. The climaxes are incandescent, but their heat comes less from surface activity than from the pressure of a deep sense of gloom, a fatal undertow, that pervades the entire performance; the connection with Tchaikovsky's "Pathétique" Symphony No. 6 is abundantly clear. Although the sound is monaural, the overall balance and dynamic range are quite impressive. The only drawback is a cut about 10 minutes into the finale that makes the symphony's exultant conclusion seem oddly premature. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Great performance despite shortcomings.......2006-09-20

This has long been my favorite recording of the Rachmaninov 2nd Symphony, despite two obvious shorcomings: first, the abbreviated fourth movement, which may have been needed to fit the entire symphony on a single LP without compromising sound quality; second, the distortion in louder passages, and overall sound quality that is good by 1956 mono standards, but far short of what is possible today. (However, the CD transfer is very good.)

On the positive side is its great power and passion, and at the same time clean, tight ensemble, a rare combination. It was recorded in a German church with just the right ambience for Rachmaninov. There have been many excellent versions since this one, but in my opinion none replace it.

good, not great.......2003-12-13

I purchased this CD having read rave reviews about the performance. However I was very disappointed. The finale was taken at a slower tempo (Rachmaninoff preferred a faster tempo as mentioned in his biography) and this kills this performance in my opinion. Listen, if you can find it, to the Svetlanov performance with the Bolshoi formerly available on Vox; this performance really catches fire and leaves an unforgettable impression. No one generates the excitement of Svetlanov in this symphony.

Good but not great..........2002-06-08

This is one of those 'legendary' recordings... if, like me, you have to seek out the 'best' performances of your favourite music, this is the one that all the advice seems to be pointing towards.

I have to say I was disappointed. Nothing wrong with the performance - its good, and it has its own insights. But it doesn't seem to me to offer more than many other, more modern performances and, as the Editorial Review here points out, there's a long cut in the finale.

I was also disappointed with the sound. While I don't expect 'state of the art' from a 1950s recording, the violins at the top end are positively painful!

My advice? Ashkenazy with the Concertgebouw is probably my personal choice, but both Previn with the London Symphony Orchestra and Pletnev with the Russian National Orchestra are very good indeed.

Legendary Performance and Recording now On CD.......2001-08-01

Sanderling leads the prestigious Leningrad Symphony through the difficult waters of Rachmaninov's Symphony #2, recorded in West Berlin in 1956.

I find the Adagio particularly beautiful and the tempo so well controlled here. Possibly there are other recordings that match or exceed this historic one, however, I find this version to be a very wonderful addition to my collection which will enjoy much play time.

Orchestral playing of great beauty, fervour and intensity........2001-05-20

A great impression was created in the 1950s when a series of DGG recordings appeared. The recordings featured the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra and the conductor was Kurt Sanderling. All agreed that the work of an orchestra and conductor in top form had been wondrously well captured on disc.

Well, here is one of those famous recordings, the most popular symphony of Rachmaninov, in a successful transfer to CD. You will hear playing of such beauty, fervour and intensity that you might begin to wonder, like me, why Rachmaninov's symphonies have seemed so hard to sit through in actual performance.

First time listeners will notice horn and oboe solos played on instruments with an unusual sonority. Also noticeable is the "spot-lighting" of the first violin soloist in the first movement. Don't let these oddities deter you, however. Consult any CD guide and reviewers manual and you'll find this CD either earning a rosette or topping the list.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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