Sergei Rachmaninov: The Bells/Spring/3 Russian Songs

1. The Bells, choral symphony for soprano, tenor, baritone, chorus, & orchestra, Op. 35
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra with Kaludi Kaludov , Sergei Leiferkus , Alexandrina Pendachanska
Conducted by Charles Dutoit

2. The Spring, cantata for baritone, chorus & orchestra, Op. 20
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra with Sergei Leiferkus
Conducted by Charles Dutoit

3. Russian Songs (3), for chorus & orchestra, Op. 41
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
Performed by Philadelphia Orchestra Conducted by Charles Dutoit

Sergei Rachmaninov: The Bells/Spring/3 Russian Songs,Sergei Leiferkus,Sergey Rachmaninov,Charles Dutoit,Philadelphia Orchestra,Alexandrina Pendachanska,Kaludi Kaludov,Polygram Records,Cantata,Choral,Classical,Classical Music,Secular Choral Music with Orchestra,Secular Music for Soloists, Chorus and Instruments

Average customer rating: Treasure Trove of Rare Rachmaninov Mature Symphonic Works Magnificent Bells, Fine Dances, Terric Isle

Sergei Rachmaninoff: Orchestral Music Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music St. Louis Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Bargain Box Sets | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Rachmaninov: The 3 Symphonies Rachmaninoff: Complete Works for Piano & Orchestra Rachmaninov: His Complete Recordings Kurt Atterberg: The Symphonies (Box Set) Rachmaninov: The Symphonies ASIN: B000001K5X Release Date: 1992-11-04

Tracks:

1. Allegro Non Troppo 'The Silver Sleigh-Bells'
2. Lento 'The Mellow Wedding Bells'
3. Presto 'The Loud Alarum Bells'
4. Lento Lugubre 'The Mournful Iron Bells'
5. Caprice Bohemien, Op. 12
6. Grave; Allegro Moderato

Tracks:

1. Moderato: Allegro Assai 'Over The River'
2. Largo 'Oh! You, Vanka'
3. Allegro Moderato (Alla Marcia) 'Powder And Paint'
4. Non Allegro
5. Andante Con Moto; Tempo Di Valse
6. Lento Assai; Allegro Vivace
7. 'Spring' Cantata For Baritone, Chorus & Orchestra, Op. 20

Tracks:

1. 'The Isle Of The Dead' Symphonic Poem, Op. 29
2. 'The Rock' Fantasy For Orchestra, Op. 7
3. Scherzo In F Major
4. 'Prince Rostislav' Symphonic Poem After Alex Tolstoy
5. Vocalise For Orchestra, Op. 34 No. 14

Customer Reviews:

Treasure Trove of Rare Rachmaninov .......2006-07-02

This is one of my most prized Rachmaninov Cds, and it is one I have owned for well over a decade. Whenever I rediscover it in my collection, I am amazed at how well it stands up, to say nothing of the incredible breadth of repertoire! Slatkin is an inspired Rachmaninov interpreter, and the St. Louis Symphony plays extremely well for him (as it does on his great collection of the Symphonies). The more popular works may not be the absolute best available, but they offer some fresh insights and can stand up with the best. It's very well recorded, too.

The big surprises here are the relatively unknown Rachmaninov: Caprice Boheme, Prince Rostislav, "Youth" Symphony, Scherzo, Spring, and the incredible Three Russian Songs. Except for the lsat two works, these are all early pieces, some extremely so: the Scherzo was written by a 13 year-old Rachmaninov who was tinkering in Mendelssohn's style. Nevertheless, it's a remarkable piece that plays well despite its derivative nature. Though the "Youth" Symphony (like the Scherzo and the First Symphony, in D Minor) and the symphonic poem, Prince Rostislav, where never published with an opus number, they are extremely indicative of Rachmaninov's style and very impressive pieces. The "Youth" Symphony reflects the darkness of the First Symphony, but is more claustrophobic and less expansive (perhaps why he abandoned it). It contains a brooding, Isle of the Dead-like atmosphere, and features a very memorable, yearning melody which is Rachmaninov through and through. And even more distinguished melody is found in Prince Rostislav--extremely Russian (in terms of The Five), and as passionate as anything he would write in his symphonies or concertos. This is a fascinating discovery, a bit reminiscent of Balakriev's Tamara or Rimsky's Sadko, but extremely impressive nonetheless.

His more mature music is found in the Caprice Boheme on "Gypsy Themes," which is in the tradition of Tchaikovsky's Capriccio Italien. It's an extremely confident work, bold in orchestration, and surprisingly upbeat for the melancholy early Rachmaninov (compare it to The Rock, for example). It has great melodies and an extremely wild climax at the end. It's sad to think how this confident, creative artist's spirits would be dashed by the colossal failure of his First Symphony's premier.

Spring and the Three Russian Songs are getting more exposure these days, but they remain little explored. Spring was written after Rachmainov's creative "spring" following the successful Second Concerto. It is contemporary with it, the Cello Sonata, and the Second Suite for Two Pianos. It's back to Rachmaninov's more bleak outlook, but it's masterfully written and has an operatic sense of drama and conflict. The ending of the piece dissolves into a touching portrait of spring and forgiveness, even if Rimsky criticized it (somewhat ridiculously) for lacking the true character of the season (it's based on a Nekraskov poem, most of which takes place in the winter, which is admirably captured). The Three Russian Songs is one of his last orchestral works, and one of his most poignant. Each brief song is brilliantly captured in nostalgic orchestral colors, simple, spare, and heartbraking. This was music of Rachmaninov the exile, as exhibited in his two masterpieces, the Third Symphony and the Symphonic Dances. It's hard not to hear this piece as a reflection of a world he could never return to, since it no longer existed. The last song, Powder and Paint, is possibly the catchiest piece he ever wrote--profoundly Russian in spirit and extremely memorable.

As for the more popular works, the Symphonic Dances comes off best, with a lot of drive and momentum (without forsaking its lyricism). The Bells is also excellent, though for some reason it is sung in English, unlike the other choral selections. This isn't terrible (Poe wrote in English, after all!), but it's not ideal, either. Isle of the Dead is atmospheric and exciting, though the big climax could be more despairing. The Rock, however, is beautifully done, and is possibly the best recording I own--it makes a forceful argument for this often ignored work.

In short, this is an essential investment, and well worth the money. I also strongly suggest Slatkin's survey of the symphonies, which is inspired and well-recorded. Best of all, in our age of cd-burning, you can rearrange all the pieces on this disc, and couple them with the symphonies, which are unfortunately broken up over 2 discs in Slatkin's collection.

Mature Symphonic Works.......2006-04-15

These symphonic poems are beautifully played with sound that is perfectly clear and natural. Even though this is a budget set, I actually prefer the dances on this set over my Bernstein/New York version! Extrodinary!

Magnificent Bells, Fine Dances, Terric Isle.......1999-11-22

Symphony of the Bells, a choral symphony not numbered in Rachy's canon is a magnificient work, and here is given a worthy performance by all involved, even Slatkin letting his hair down a bit. The Symphonic Dances are also impressive, although not my first choice. What is remarkable on this disc (in addition to the opportunity to hear less-popular Rachmaninoff) is the Isle of the Dead. Overwhelming climaxes, and wonderful atmosphere. The only complaint is when the first violins enter for the first time in the stratosphere; it's hardly out of tune, but it could've been more ethereal, an affect rarely achieved on record anyway. The playing is superb, the engineering is above average, but doesn't match the performances.

Average customer rating: ONE OF THE BEST "BELLS"

Sergei Rachmaninov: The Bells/Spring/3 Russian Songs Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Dutoit, Laurence | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Leiferkus, Sergei | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000422B Release Date: 1994-06-14

Customer Reviews:

ONE OF THE BEST "BELLS".......2004-12-24

Too bad this has been out of print.

Dutoit conducts all of Rachmaninoff's cantata works (The Bells, Spring, and Three Russian Songs)- and conducts them with an unerring sense of what makes this music *live*.

Unlike virtually all its other conductors, Dutoit integrates everything in The Bells into a unified musical entity. I'm not referring to the sound (which is the opposite of homogenous). I mean everything fits, everything "clicks," on a musical level. No stress or displeasure listening to this. It goes down like a well-worn Shakespeare sonnet. By contrast, Ashkenazy and his band - as great as they are in their recording of it - make The Bells sound disjointed from phrase to phrase.

The other works are just as pleasurable to listen to. Spring is rarely found on record, and is gorgeous (but newcomers to this piece should be forewarned that it is a rather brooding Russian psychological drama involving an unfaithful wife, a winter storm, and a knife...).

Please try this CD as soon as possible.

Average customer rating:

Best of Classics: Rachmaninov, Sergei.- " Sergei Rachmaninov: The Bells/Spring/3 Russian Songs ProductGroup: Classical Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0002DFYKQ

Product Description

The Bells, op.35; Spring, op.20; Russian Songs, op.41 Alexandrina Pendachanska - soprano; Kaludi Kaludov - tenor; Sergei Leiferkus - baritone; Choral Art Society of Philadelphia, directed by Sean Deibler; The Philadelphia Orchestra, conducted by Charles Dutoit

Track Listings:

1. Songs and Dances Of Death
2. St Olaf Orchestra Performs
3. Tchaikovsky: Swan Lake/Prokofiev: Romeo & Juliet
4. Te Deum & Jubilate V3
5. Ten Top Sopranos Vol. 2
6. The Complete Organ Sonatas
7. The Golden Dream
8. This Is Gold: Maria Callas [Box Set] [Box set] [Import]
9. Toyohiko Satoh, 4: Robert de Visée
10. Vol. 9

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Weekend in Tokyo: Flavor of Aor [Import]

Contemporary Dutch Organ Music

Bon Anniversaire Charles: Live au Palais des Congres 2004 [Enhanced] [Import] [Live]

Music: Greatest Hits (1979-1990)

Crowded Alone

Come As You Are Pt.1 [CD-single] [Import]

Circus of Power [Import]

De-Stress

Best of My Love

Cantando a Borges 100 Anos [Import]

Best of [Import]

Damn the Torpedoes

Blue Planet [CD-single] [Import]

The Feast Of Fools

Wake of the Flood