Rachmaninov: Symphony 2 / Russian Songs

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov

Conducted by Valery Polyansky

2. Russian Songs (3), for chorus & orchestra, Op. 41
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov

Conducted by Valery Polyansky

3. Russian Songs (3), for chorus & orchestra, Op. 41
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov

Conducted by Valery Polyansky

4. Russian Songs (3), for chorus & orchestra, Op. 41
Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov

Conducted by Valery Polyansky

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

'The Isle Of The Dead' Symphonic Poem, Op. 29
'The Rock' Fantasy For Orchestra, Op. 7
Scherzo In F Major
'Prince Rostislav' Symphonic Poem After Alex Tolstoy
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.

Rachmaninov: Isle of the Dead Op29; Songs Op34

Average customer rating:

Excellent set
Accept No Substitutes- This is It !
Review of the second symphony only
Competent, slow, steady but uninspired 2nd
buy for 2nd symphony

Rachmaninov: Isle of the Dead Op29; Songs Op34

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002S4C
Release Date: 1993-04-13

Tracks:

Symphony No. 1 In D Minor, Op 13: I. Grave
Symphony No. 1 In D Minor, Op 13: II. Allegro Animato
Symphony No. 1 In D Minor, Op 13: III. Larghetto
Symphony No. 1 In D Minor, Op 13: IV. Allegro con fuoco
The isle Of The Dead, Op.29: The Isle Of The Dead, Op. 29

Tracks:

Symphony No.2 In E Minor, Op.27: Largo - Allegro moderato
Symphony No.2 In E Minor, Op.27: Scherzo (Allegro molto)
Symphony No.2 In E Minor, Op.27: Adagio
Symphony No. 2 In E Minor, Op. 27: Finale (Allegro vivace)
Vocalise, Op.34 No.14
Aleko: Intermezzo
Aleko: Women's Dance

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 In A Minor, Op.44: Lento - Allegro moderato - Allegro
Symphony No.3 In A Minor, Op.44: Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro vivace
Symphony No.3 In A Minor, Op.44: Allegro - Allegro vivace
Symphonic Dances, Op.45: Non allegro
Symphonic Dances, Op.45: Andante con moto (Tempo di valse)
Symphonic Dances, Op.45: Lento assai - Allegro vivace

Customer Reviews:

Excellent set.......2005-02-22

An excellent set.

Sym 1, Isle of the Dead and Symphonic Dances are all done extremely well, which is all that matters, since these are Rachmaninov's orchestral works of sheer genius (plus the Bells), in my view.

Pletnev's Rach Sym 1 on DG is pretty good too, but you can't go wrong with this set.

Accept No Substitutes- This is It !.......2005-01-09

Sir Andre and the 1970s LSO had a unique, symbiotic relationship. Together with their Decca Rachmaninov Piano Concertos & Paganini Rhapsody (with Vladimir Ashkenazy), this cycle of the Symphonies (and the other major orchestral pieces) just may be their greatest work ever. The fantastic LSO strings, admittedly lacking the famous post-war Ormandy/Philly gloss, make it easier to take these works more seriously than before. (Granted, R's symphonies are not the Brahms FOURTH, or the Bruckner EIGHTH, but they deserve better than "pops-concert" condescension.) Everything runs deeper.

First off, a respectful nod to all the other reviewers here and a small, salient fact: RACHMANINOV COMPOSED MORE THAN THE SECOND SYMPHONY !!! (And yes, this SECOND is stupendous in its breadth and commitment.)

This FIRST SYMPHONY is pungent, exotic, at times even barbaric...The VOCALISE is bittersweet, not merely sweet. And Sir Andre actually takes the repeat !... The ALEKO fragments are tantalizing. The ISLE OF THE DEAD is no-holds barred and heady...But the real glories of this set are the THIRD and the SYMPHONIC DANCES...They pick up where Ormandy left off, great as Ormandy undoubtedly was with these works (after all, he DID prepare the THIRD's premiere for Stokowski, and conducted the premiere of the DANCES himself- and both under R's supervision).

Throughout the THIRD, you get a whiff of both the Russian countyside AND the American plains, with a Deliusian "sensuous heartbreak." Play the beginning of the THIRD's second movement and be instructed by its ontological sadness; marvel at the sly, compassionate humor of R's sticking a scherzo within an adagio and how this humor plays out at the end of the movement; be uplifted by the gamut of moods which Sir Andre holds together so beautifully in the last movement.

The SYMPHONIC DANCES were originally titled FANTASTIC DANCES- which is a better description of this music...It was to have been a three-movement ballet depicting Noon, Twilight and Midnight. The Noon of the first movement is restless and adolescent in mood (culminating with a regretful quote from the FIRST SYMPHONY, whose undeservedly failed premiere scarred R for life). The second movement (described in several places as a "haunted ballroom") is elfin & ghostly. The final movement of the DANCES is frighteningly deep and modern (in parts of this movement you'll think of Bartok !). By its very end, the DIES IRAE motiv (ever present in R's music) morphs into a kind of phrygian-mode, death-tinged "flamenco-gone-nuts"...But not before all kinds of ethereal encounters with lost youth, regret & sensuality (some faint, swaying echoes of the THE BELLS' 2nd movement: the "golden bells of happiness"), and adoration of God (a pentultimate, jazzed-up quote from R's VESPERS: "Blagosloven Yesi, Gospodi" - "Blessed Art Thou, O Lord").

Sir Andre & his band plunge into all this with a shattering, "total immersion" which will show you why R called the DANCES "my last spark."

Review of the second symphony only.......2001-04-02

Haven't played it for several months. I turned it on to do the review and from the other room I hear "I haven't heard that for awhile, I could listen to that all day". It was Rachmaninov who elevated my musical appreciation to not only appreciate classical music but to become passionate about it. The second symphony is a hypnotic, stirring sojourn into the ether of some nether world of inner peace and symphonic harmony. There is a deliberate slowness throughout, which I thoroughly enjoy. At times you're swept into the whirlwind of strings swirling around you. The first two movements are lovely but compared to the third movement, all falls short. The third movement, one of the finest moments in orchestration and aesthetics, is a melodic and lovely romance between you and the music. The delicate textures weaving in and out are some of the most sensuous and irresistible notes ever created. Then, to your discomfort, comes the fourth movement's tempo which snaps you out of your lull and dreamy easy chair and back into the auditorium. It's was probably necessary for Rachmaninov to bring you back to reality as who could dare wake from this state of symphonic bliss on their own, let alone leave the auditorium. I highly recommend this second symphony for its quality in both it's performance and sound (I suggest you skip the fourth movement and let the ocean's gentle waves wash over you as the sun sets tangerine in the evening sky and all seems right and faraway from the daily grind).

Competent, slow, steady but uninspired 2nd.......2001-03-18

I have only heard the 2nd symphony from this set (in EMI's Great Recordings of the Century remastering, which seems not to be available yet...) so my comments are restricted to that work. Looking at the reviews below, it appears that some people really like this performance. I respect their opinions, but I can only report my own honest reaction to this performance, which is that is is too slow, too uninflected, and ultimately too boring for my taste.

As a reviewer states below, this performance was taped after a successful tour by Previn and the London Symphony Orchestra which showcased the Second. However, the notes in the Great Recordings edition report that the taping took place over a year after the tour ended (although the players wanted it taped immediately). This delay may explain what I hear as a routineness about the performance. There is certainly nothing wrong with the quality of the orchestral playing or the sound engineering (although neither approaches what Ormandy and the Philadelphia achieved in the Sony version of 1959, 12 years earlier). But I just don't hear anything special here.

In all four movements, tempos are consistently on the slow side. What is more, Previn takes a very straightforward interpretative approach, when I feel that this music cries out for the little touches of magic, such as Rachmaninov shows in his own recording of the Third Symphony. Compare with the earlier Ormandy recording: although Ormandy takes similarly steady tempos in the first three movements, his orchestra, especially the strings, knows how to put a little rubato here, a little portamento there, to bring this large work to life. With Previn it just sounds like a play through by a very competent orchestra and conductor.

The one really distinctive feature of this recording is the account of the slow movement. I find it repellent, but others may like it. Previn takes a very slow, gentle, soft-focused approach which reminds me of film music for a Hollywood romance. I yearn for a more passionate and intense approach here, but Previn's way is an interesting alternative.

An important issue in considering any recording of this symphony is that of cuts. Many recordings (particularly older ones) excise large amounts of Rachmaninov's music (up to 25%). The older Ormandy I mentioned above is a tragic example of this. This recording is complete and uncut (with the exception of the first movement repeat). Good for Previn, then. Some British critics get very excited by the fact that before this recording was made, most recordings were cut, and that after it, they tended to be complete -- as if Previn had somehow single-handedly changed the climate for Rachmaninov's music. However, there are older uncut recordings --- for example, Leopold Stokowski's 1946 live performance with the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Paul Kletzki's Suisse Romande account. In fact, listening to Previn's performance somethimes made me think that the cuts were a good thing after all.

I would recommend against this account of the 2nd symphony. My favorite account -- by Dmitri Kitaenko (Kitayenko) with the Moscow Philharmonic -- is hard to find. The aforementioned Ormandy is magnificent but heavily cut. Given this, I also suggest Ashkenazy with the Concertgebouw Orchestra or Pletnev with the Russian National Orchestra.

buy for 2nd symphony.......2001-03-10

never mind nos. 1 & 3 -- this is worth buying for no. 2 alone. this is the second digital remastering emi have done of no.2: the first (mid-80's) was horrible -- avoid. this one is much closer to the original 1973 lp. as far as i know, this second remastering of no.2 is only available as part of this set, i.e. not available separately.

Tracks:

Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Moderato; Allegro
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Adagio sostenuto
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Allegro scherzando
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Allegro ma non tanto
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Intermezzo: Adagio
Concerto No. 3, Op. 30 In D Minor: Finale: Alla breve

Tracks:

Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Vivace
Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Andante
Concerto No. 1, Op, 1 In F Sharp Minor: Allegro vivace
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Allegro vivace
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Largo
Concerto No. 4, Op. 40 In G Minor: Allegro vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Introduction: Allegro vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation I: (Precedente)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Tema: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation II: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation III: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation IV: Piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation V: Tempo precedente
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VI: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VII: Meno mosso, a tempo moderato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation VIII: Tempo I
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation IX: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation X: Poco marcato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XI: Moderato
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XII: Tempo di minuetto
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIII: Allegro
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIV: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XV: Piu vivo scherzando
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVI: Allegretto
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVII: (Allegretto)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XVIII: Andante cantabile
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XIX: A tempo vivace
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XX: Un poco piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXI: Un poco piu vivo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXII: Un poco piu vivo (Alla breve)
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXIII: L'istesso tempo
Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini, Op. 43: Variation XXIV: A tempo un poco meno mosso

Tracks:

Isle Of The Dead, Op. 29
Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Lento; Allegro moderato
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Adagio ma non troppo
Symphony No.3, Op. 44 In A Minor: Allegro

Tracks:

Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Allegro assai
Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Tempo di minuetto, ma molto moderato e grazioso
Sonata, Op. 30, No. 3 In G: Allegro vivace
Sonata D. 574 In A: Allegro moderato
Sonata D. 574 In A: Scherzo: Presto; Trio
Sonata D. 574 In A: Andantino
Sonata D. 574 In A: Allegro vivace
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegro molto ed appassionato
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegretto espressivo alla Romanza
Sonata, Op. 45 In C Minor: Allegro animato

Tracks:

Partita No. 4, BWV 828: Sarabande
Harpsichord Suite No. 5: Air And Variations - 'Harmonious Blacksmith'
Sonata, K. 331: III: Turkish March
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Thema: Allegretto
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation I
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation II
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation III
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation IV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation V
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation VIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation IX
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation X
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XIX
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXIV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXV
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXVIII
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXXI
32 Variations, WoO 80 In C Minor: Variation XXXII
Return Home
Polish Songs: The Maiden's Wish
Die schone Mullerin: Das Wandern
Schwanengesang: Serenade
Polonaise No. 2 In E
Songs Without Words, Op. 67: Spinning Song
Impromptu, Op. 90, No. 4 In A Flat
Concert Etude No. 2: Gnomenreigen
Orfeo ed Euridice: Melodie
Etude, Op. 104b, No. 2 In F
Etude, Op. 104b, No. 3 In A Minor
Spanisches Liederspeil: The Smuggler
Minuet, Op. 14, No. 1 In G
Liebesfreud

Tracks:

Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Grave; Doppio movimento
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Scherzo
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Marche funebre
Sonata No. 2, Op. 35 'Funeral March': Presto
Carnaval, Op. 9: Preambule
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pierrot
Carnaval, Op. 9: Arlequin
Carnaval, Op. 9: Valse noble
Carnaval, Op. 9: Eusebius
Carnaval, Op. 9: Florestan
Carnaval, Op. 9: Coquette
Carnaval, Op. 9: Replique
Carnaval, Op. 9: Sphinxes
Carnaval, Op. 9: Papillons
Carnaval, Op. 9: A. S. C. H. - S. C. H. A. (Letteres dansantes)
Carnaval, Op. 9: Chiarina
Carnaval, Op. 9: Chopin
Carnaval, Op. 9: Estrella
Carnaval, Op. 9: Reconnaissance
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pantalon et Colombine
Carnaval, Op. 9: Valse allemande
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pganini (Intermezzo)
Carnaval, Op. 9: Aveu
Carnaval, Op. 9: Promenade
Carnaval, Op. 9: Pause
Carnaval, Op. 9: Marche des 'Davidsbundler' contre les Philistins
Nocturne, Op. 9, No. 2 In E Flat
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 2 In C Sharp
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3
Ballade No. 3, Op. 47 In A Flat
Mazurka, Op. 68, No. 2
Waltz, Op. Posth. In E Minor

Tracks:

Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Preludio
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Gavotte
Partita No. 3, BWV 1006: Gigue
A Midsummer Night's Dream: Scherzo
Liebersfreud
Die schone Mullerin: The Brooklet
Polka de V.R.
Etude-tableau, Op. 39, No. 6 In A Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
Sorochintsy Fair: Hopac
Lullaby, Op. 16, No.1
Tsar Saltan: Flight of the Bumblebee
The Ruins Of Athens: Turkish March
Scherzo In A Flat
The Seasons: November: Troika
Prelude No. 8, Op. 11, No. 8 In F Sharp
One Lives But Once
Powder and Paint
Polka italienne (Piano 4 Hands)

Tracks:

Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Maderato; Allegro
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Adagio sostenuto
Concerto No. 2, Op. 18 In C Minor: Allegro scherzando
Prelude, Op. 23, No. 10 In G Flat
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 3 In E Major
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 7 In F Major
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 6 In F Minor
Etude-tableau, Op. 33, No. 2 in C Major
Etude-tableau, Op. 33, No. 7 In E Flat
Daisies, Op. 38, No. 3
Oriental Sketch
Melodie, Op. 3, No. 3 in E
Serenade, Op. 3, No. 5 In B Flat
Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 5 In G
Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5
Moment Musical, Op. 16, No. 2 In E Flat

Tracks:

Mazurka, Op. 63, No. 3 In C Sharp Minor
Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 2 In F Sharp
Waltz, Op. 18 'Grande valse brilliante' In E Flat
Waltz, Op. 34, No. 3 'Valse brilliante' In F
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute'
Waltz, Op. 69, No. 2 In B Minor
Waltz, Op. 70, No. 1 In G Flat
Scherzo No. 3, Op. 39 In C Sharp Minor
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 1 'Minute' In D Flat
Le coucou
L'Arlesienne Suite No. 1: Minuet
Carnival Of The Animals: The Swan
Songs Without Words, Op. 67: Spinning Song
Waltz
Lyric Pieces, Op. 12: Elfin Dance
Etude, Op. 28, No. 6 In F Minor
If I Were a Bird
La jongleuse
Dr. Gradus ad Parnassum
Children's Corner: Golliwogg's Cakewalk
The Seasons: November: Troika
Humoresque, Op. 10, No. 2 In G
Waltz, Op. 40, No. 8 In A Flat

Tracks:

Prelude, Op. 23, No. 5 In G Minor
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 12 In G Sharp Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor
Prelude, Op. 32, No. 5 In G
Serenade, Op. 3, No. 5 In B Flat
Lilacs, Op. 21, No. 5
Polichinelle, Op. 3, No. 4 In F Sharp Minor
Polka de V.R.
Liebesleid
Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2
Pastorale In E Minor
Theme and Variations
Waltz, Op. 42 'Two - Four' In A Flat
Waltz, Op. 64, No. 3 In A Flat
Polka de V.R.
Bacarolle, Op. 10, No. 3 In G Minor
Prelude, Op. 3, No. 2 In C Sharp Minor

Amazon.com

We remember Rachmaninov today mostly for the music he wrote. But as this set quickly reveals, he was one of the greatest pianists of the 20th century, able to play his own music and a great variety of others with tremendous personality and a technique that is still astonishing. There's no point picking highlights from this set, since they are everywhere. But if you've never heard Rachmaninov play Schumann's Carnaval, try starting there for one of the most imaginative recreations of a piece of music ever recorded. The set also includes Rachmaninov's only recordings as a conductor in two of his own major works. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews:

Save some $ money! Get the newer January 2006 reissue set instead........2006-05-17

At the time of this review, whenever you search for a phrase such as "Rachmaninoff Complete", amazon's search engine always lands on this out-of-print recording (ASIN: B000003FB7) . It's also no fun to see that it costs more than a hundred bucks! But if you type "B000A2AD2S" in the search box, you'll see the new reissued set for half the price. It's the exact same 10 CDs. Just the cover art is different.

Unfortunately, this situation is a common pattern with amazon's listing of classical music: when you use your intuition and type in common-sense search phrases for Bach, Mozart, etc, you often get the ultra-expensive out-of-print ships-in-4-weeks items as the default item. It takes a lot of detective work to find the newer reissue recordings. For example, to find the new reissue without knowing the ASIN, I had to enter just "Rachmaninoff" in the search text (deliberately left the word "Complete" out of the search) so it would no longer lock me into this item page that you're looking at and give me a full listing instead. I then sorted the listing by "Original Release Date" and found it on the 2nd page. There's no picture on the new item which doesn't give you any confidence that you found the right one. Don't worry, B000A2AD2S is what you want.

For product research, it's good to have both ASIN product listings because the older out-of-print B000003FB7 has the sound samples (and also all the helpful customer reviews) while the new B000A2AD2S has the better price and availability.

To make things even more confusing, the amazon staff sometimes copies entire customer reviews to the new item which would then make THIS review seem strangely out of place. If that happens and I notice it, I will delete this review for B000003FB7.

(In another strange twist, amazon searches in rock/pop usually points you to the newer cheaper remastered/repackaged/reissued/whatever of a particular recording. I don't know why it works the opposite way in classical music?!?!)

6, or Even 7 Stars!.......2005-06-04

Hofmann hit the nail on the head when he said Rachmaninov had "arms of steel and heart of gold". From this album, we can have a clear picture of Rachmaninov's vison of music, of his musical mind and thoughts and moreover his own playing.

While Kempff's playing would often remind of the protestant church music, Rachmaninov bring to our mind the chanting of the Orthodox church, which is much thicker and darker. On top of that, his playing is orchestral which is so powerful and full colours. Yet, it is nothing like Richter, where often the whole piece is just one phrase.

Here each piece has it's own life and identity each with a focal point. It is water tight compact and yet very much natural and alive, never as hair-raising as Horowitz. But, it is not natural in Arrau's way. It is somewhere in between, closer to Argerich but with more consistency and depth. And like Casals' playing, it keeps our attention from the first note up to its focal point until its very end. But unlike Casals, he touches our hearts. It is very emotional but never to the point of being sentimental-- the performance of his own concertos, for example, can tell you that.

Sure, he did have fingers of steel that helped him to bring out whatever colour or atmostphere as appropriate. And despite that fact that there are some minor alterations on the scores like his Chopin, he is one of the few pianists who could really show you every note on the score counts and, above all, how it counts...

His Chopin may not be as neurotic as Cortot. Nonetheless, he sheds light on the dark and nervous side of Chopin so well: a very throbbing interpretation that is so unique. We also have him accompanying Kreisler on some violin sonatas, something that one could turn to time and again, year after year. What a great chamber musician and accompanist he was...!

The recorded sound of the CDs do vary, and some are more acceptable than the others. But for genuine music lovers, they should be able to get over this very soon: how else would they benefit from one of the greatest legacies of a genuinely great musician!

A must have for Piano and classical music lovers.......2005-04-04

To respond to a review about the sound quality-for those people who have no experience with historical performances i.e cortot-hofmann-etc these discs are for the most part much better recorded. There are the inevitable pops and hisses but if these things disturb you, or you cant get past them, then you shouldnt be listening to this kind of thing anyway. the importance here is in the playing, and the playing is extra ordinary. I you want to buy a disc for the reperatoire then i can think of hundreds of performances that will satisfy, but only people with a true interest to hear and study these pieces will be beyond satisfied. I know that may not sound like a lot of fun, but these discs are fun, great, and for me, almost too good to be true. Again, if sound disturbs you, then you may be listening to the music for the wrong reasons. Take from it the playing, the revelations that Rach provides to his pieces, and how fortunate we are that it sounds as good as it does.

Ah, Rachmaninoff, brilliant star of music, how we adore you.......2003-09-14

The music of Rachmaninoff is beyond words, furthermore, beyond imagination. He was a genius, no doubt, and nobody will ever understand how incredibly lucky we are to be blessed with his compositions. Furthermore, it is truly astonishing to hear Rachmaninoff play his own work. There is nothing so beautiful on this earth and there never will be.

Review from a spoiled modern listener.......2003-07-13

I'll admit that I'm a spoiled modern listener, accustomed to having the bang and hiss edited out of a recording, and it took me a while to warm to these. Rachmaninoff's performances are splendid, but if you can hardly hear them over the cacophony of background noise, what's the use? His performance of his own, often overlooked Concerto No. 4 finally made me sit up and listen, even though I've owned two versions of this piece for a number of years (Ashkenazy & Wild).

Average customer rating:

Russian Music and Revolution

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

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Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Greatest Hits: The Tsar (Russian Orchestral Favorites)

ASIN: B00000J2QM
Release Date: 1999-05-25

Tracks:

Khovanshchina: Dawn On The Moskva River - Cleveland Orchestra
Prince Igor: Polovstian Dance No. 2 - Toronto Mendelssohn Choir
The Statue Of Tsarskoye Selo - Cesar Cui
Under The Mysterious Mask - Jennie Tourel
The Tale Of The Tsar Saltan: Flight Of The Bumblebee - Arcadi Volodos
Le Coq d'Or: Bridal Procession And Lamentable Death Of King Dodon - Philadelphia Orchestra
Mlada: Procession Of The Nobles - Philadelphia Orchestra
Caucasian Sketches For Orchestra: Procession Of The Sadar - Philadelphia Orchestra
The Seasons For Orchestra: Autumn - Andre Kostelanetz & His Orchestra
Legend For Orchestra: The Enchanted Lake - Cleveland Orchestra
Prelude In C-Sharp Minor, Op. 3, No. 2 - Phillippe Entremont
Pathetique: Adagio Lamentoso From Symphony No. 6 In B Minor Op. 74 - National Symphony Orchestra
Sleeping Beauty: Waltz - Philadelphia Orchestra
Pilovaya Dama: Midnight Draws Near - Stefka Evstatieva
Op. 4: Fireworks - Columbia Symphony Orchestra
Sonata For Piano No. 1 In F Minor Op.1 - Yefim Bronfman
Classical: Gavotta: Non Troppo Allegro - New York Philharmonic
Classical: Finale: Molto Vivace - New York Philharmonic

Average customer rating:

Rachmaninov: Symphony 2 / Russian Songs

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Rachmaninov: The Bells/Symphonic Dances
Rachmaninov: Symphony No3; Spring Op20

ASIN: B00000AFTP
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

Symphony No. 2, Op. 27 In E Minor: I Largo - Allegro moderato - Moderato
Symphony No. 2, Op. 27 In E Minor: II Allegro molto
Symphony No. 2, Op. 27 In E Minor: III Adagio
Symphony No. 2, Op. 27 In E Minor: IV Allegro vivace
Three Russian Songs, Op. 41: Over The Stream, The Swift Stream
Three Russian Songs, Op. 41: Ah, Vanka, You Are So Dashing
Three Russian Songs, Op. 41: My Cheeks, So White, So Rosey!

Rachmaninov: Complete Works for chorus & orchestra - The Bells Op. 35; Three Russian Folk Songs, Op. 41; Spring (Cantata), Op. 20

Average customer rating:

Rachmaninov Rarities

Rachmaninov: Complete Works for chorus & orchestra - The Bells Op. 35; Three Russian Folk Songs, Op. 41; Spring (Cantata), Op. 20
A. Gauk , Mikhail Lanskoi , Yevgeny Kibkalo , State Symphony Orchestra of the Ministry of Culture , and Grand Symphony Orchestra and Grand Chorus of All-Union Radio (U.S.S.R.)
Manufacturer: Russian Revelation
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

The Bells - Choral Symphony, Op. 35 - Poem For Soprano, Tenor, And Baritone, Chorus And Orchestra: I The Bells (Allegro ma non tanto)
The Bells - Choral Symphony, Op. 35 - Poem For Soprano, Tenor, And Baritone, Chorus And Orchestra: II Golden Bells (Lento)
The Bells - Choral Symphony, Op. 35 - Poem For Soprano, Tenor, And Baritone, Chorus And Orchestra: III Bronze Bells (Presto)
The Bells - Choral Symphony, Op. 35 - Poem For Soprano, Tenor, And Baritone, Chorus And Orchestra: IV Iron Bells (Lento)
Three Russian Folk Songs, Op. 41: Over the River (Moderato: allegro assai)
Three Russian Folk Songs, Op. 41: O Vanka, You Bold Fellow (Largo)
Three Russian Folk Songs, Op. 41: Powder And Paint (Allegro moderato: alla marcia)
Spring - Cantata For Baritone, Chorus And Orchestra, Op. 20

Customer Reviews:

Rachmaninov Rarities.......2007-06-18

This disc contains all of the music Sergei Rachmaninov composed for chorus and orchestra. The foremost piece (and the composer's favorite) is The Bells, which receives a magnificent performance conducted by Gennady Rozhdestvensky (from 1991) and played by the State Symphony Orchestra of the Ministry of Culture. The soloists are excellent with tenor Igor Slutskovsky singing the first movement with the brightness and cheerfulness associated with birth; Natalia Mihailova sings with nice control and sensitivity in the marriage section but is a little thin on her high notes. Bass Mikail Lanskoy is fabulous in the final movement in conveying the desolation of death.

The Three Russian Folk Songs was written in 1927 and was first performed by the Philadelphia Orchestra under Leopold Stokowski on the same program with the premiere of the Fourth Piano Concerto. The first two songs were suggested to the composer by Chaliapin and the third was performed by a popular Russian singer at a small social gathering. The songs, perhaps not surprisingly have to do with dislocation - in the first a duck and drake are crossing a bridge when the duck is frightened away and in the second a wife is abandoned by her husband for the winter and the third has to do with a faithless wife. The cantata Spring was Rachmaninov's first large work for chorus. One is reminded of liturgical chants with the chorus singing and the music is dramatic, a precursor to The Bells.

The performances of the Folk Songs and Spring, conducted by Alexander Gauk, come from 1958 and 1968, and are well recorded. The performances are spirited and with the chorus doing a splendid job. The recording of The Bells has much clearer sound with better engineering but, altogether, the recordings on this disc are beautifully performed and should not be missed by anyone interested in Rachmaninov.

The Good Life: The Greatest Overtures and Symphonies (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

The Good Life: The Greatest Overtures and Symphonies (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Platinum Disc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007NMKN0
Release Date: 2005-02-15

Deutsche Grammophon Centenary Collection, 1958-1967 (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Good Years for Classical Music

Deutsche Grammophon Centenary Collection, 1958-1967 (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000DI2P
Release Date: 1998-11-10

Tracks:

The Abduction From The Seraglio: 'Durch Zartlichkeit und Schmeichein' - Rita Streich
The Abduction From The Seraglio: 'Welche Wonne, welche Lust' - Rita Streich
The Magic Flute: 'O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn! Sum Leiden bin ich auserkoren' - Rita Streich
The Magic Flute: 'Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen' - Rita Streich
Il re pastore: 'Aer tranquillo' - Rita Streich
Concert Arias: 'Alcandro, lo confesso... Non so d'onde viene', K.294 - Rita Streich
Concert Arias: 'Ah se in ciel, benigne stelle', K.538 - Rita Streich
Concert Arias: 'Vado, ma dove? oh Dei!', K.583 - Rita Streich
Concert Arias: 'Popoli di Tessaglia!...Io non chiedo, eterni Dei', K.316 - Rita Streich
Concert Arias: 'Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!...Ah, conte, partite', K.418 - Rita Streich
Concert Arias: 'No, che non sei capace', K.419 - Rita Streich
Concert Arias: Mia speranza adorata!...Ah, non sai qual pena sia', K.416 - Rita Streich
Concert Arias: 'Nehmt meinen Dank, ihr holden Gonner!', K.383 - Rita Streich

Tracks:

Sonata For Piano And Cello In A Major, Op.69: 1. Allegro ma non tanto
Sonata For Piano And Cello In A Major, Op.69: 2. Scherzo: Allegro molto
Sonata For Piano And Cello In A Major, Op.69: 3. Adagio cantabile- Allegro vivace
Sonata For Piano And Cello In D major, Op.102, No.2: 1. Allegro con brio
Sonata For Piano And Cello In D major, Op.102, No.2: 2. Adagio con molto sentimento d'affeto- attaca:
Sonata For Piano And Cello In D major, Op.102, No.2: 3. Allegro- Allegro fugato
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor, Op.65: 1. Allegro moderato
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor, Op.65: 2. Scherzo: Allegro con brio
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor, Op.65: 3. Largo
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor, Op.65: 4. Finale: Allegro

Tracks:

Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In A Minor, Op.129: 1. Nicht zu schnell
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In A Minor, Op.129: 2. Langsam
Concerto For Cello And Orchestra In A Minor, Op.129: 3. Sehr lebhaft
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Moderato quasi Andante
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Tema: Moderato semplice
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Veriazione I: Tempo del Tema
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Veriazione II: Tempo del Tema
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione III: Andante sostenuto
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione III: Andante grazioso
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione V: Allegro moderato
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Cadenza
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Variazione VI: Andante
Variations On A Rococo Theme For Cello And Orchestra, Op.33: Veriazone VII e Coda: Allegro vivo
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor, Op.19: 1. Lento- Allegro moderato
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor, Op.19: 2. Allegro scherzando
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor, Op.19: 3. Andante
Sonata For Piano And Cello In G Minor, Op.19: 4. Allegro mosso

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.5 In E Flat Major, Op.73 'Emperor': 1. Allegro - Beethoven
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.5 In E Flat Major, Op.73 'Emperor': 2. Adagio un poco mosso - attaca: - Beethoven
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra No.5 In E Flat Major, Op.73 'Emperor': 3. Rondo: Allegro - Beethoven
Piano Sonata No.29 In B flat major, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 1. Allegro - Beethoven
Piano Sonata No.29 In B flat major, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 2. Scherzo: Assai vivace - Beethoven
Piano Sonata No.29 In B flat major, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 3. Adagio sostenuto: Appassionato e con molto sentimento - Beethoven
Piano Sonata No.29 In B flat major, Op.106 'Hammerklavier': 4. Largo - Allegro risoluto - Beethoven

Tracks:

Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.55 'Eroica': 1. Allegro con brio
Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.55 'Eroica': 2. Marcia funubre: Adagio assai
Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.55 'Eroica': 3. Scherzo: Allegro vivace
Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.55 'Eroica': 4. Finale: Allegro molto
Symphony No.8 In F Major, Op.93: 1. Allegro vivace e con brio
2. Allegro scherzando
Symphony No.8 In F Major, Op.93: 3. Tempo di Menuetto
Symphony No.8 In F Major, Op.93: 4. Allegro vivace

Tracks:

Till Eulenspiegel's Merry Pranks, Op.28
Don Juan, Op.20
'Salome', Op.54: Dance Of The Seven Veils
Sinfonia Concertante For Violin, Viola And Orchestra In E Flat Major K.364: 1. Allegro maestoso
Sinfonia Concertante For Violin, Viola And Orchestra In E Flat Major K.364: 2. Andante
Sinfonia Concertante For Violin, Viola And Orchestra In E Flat Major K.364: 3. Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No.7 In E Major: 1. Allegro moderato
Symphony No.7 In E Major: 2. Adagio: Sehr Feierlichund sehr langsam
Symphony No.7 In E Major: 3. Scherzo: Sehr schnell- Trio: Etwas langsamer
Symphony No.7 In E Major: 4. Finale: Bewegt, doch nicht schnell
2 Motets: 'Os justi'
2 Motets: 'Christus Factus est'

Tracks:

The Magic Flute: Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd sch Aria - Fritz Wunderlich
The Abduction From The Seraglio: Hier soll ich dich denn sehen- Aria - Fritz Wunderlich
The Abduction From The Seraglio: Wenn der Freude Trn fliessen- Aria - Fritz Wunderlich
Die Schng (The Creation): Nun schwanden vor dem heiligen Strahle- Verzweiflung, Wut und Schrecken- Aria - Fritz Wunderlich
Die Schng (The Creation): In vollem Glanze steiget jetzt / - Fritz Wunderlich
Die Schng (The Creation): Die Himmel erzen - Fritz Wunderlich
Die Schng (The Creation): Mit Wnd Hoheit angetan - Fritz Wunderlich
La Traviata: O Freunde, so leeret in vollen Z Fritz Wunderlich
La Traviata: O, lass uns fliehen aus diesen Mauern - Fritz Wunderlich
Eugene Onegin: Wohin seid ihr entschwunden- Aria- Lenski (Act II) - Fritz Wunderlich
Zar und Zimmerman: Lebe wohl, mein flandrisch Mhen - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Im Abendrot D799 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: An die Laute D905 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Die Forelle D550 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Lied eines Schiffers an die Dioskuren D360 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Der Musensohn D764 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Der Einsame D800 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Frsglaube D686 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: An Sylvia D891 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Heidenrin D257 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Stchen D957 No.4 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: Liebhaber in allen Gestalten D558 - Fritz Wunderlich
12 Lieder: An die Musik D547 - Fritz Wunderlich

Tracks:

Concerto For Piano And Orchestra In E Flat Major K.449: 1. Allegro vivace
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra In E Flat Major K.449: Andantino
Concerto For Piano And Orchestra In E Flat Major K.449: 3. Allegro, ma non troppo
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 1. Lebhaft
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 2. Innig
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 3. Mit Humor (Etwas hahnbuchen)
Davidsbundlertanze: 4. Ungeduldig
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 5. Einfach
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 6. Sehr rasch (Sehr rasch und in sich hinein)
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 7. Nicht Scnell (Mit ausserst starker Empfindung)
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 8. Frisch
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 9. Lebhaft
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 10. Balladenmassig. Sehr rasch
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 11. Einfach
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 12. Mit Humor
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 13. Wild und lustig
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 14. Zart und singend
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 15. Frisch
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 16. Mit gutem Humor
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 17. Wie aus der Ferne
Davidsbundlertanze, Op.6: 18. Nicht schnell
Waldesrauschen (Forest Murmers)

Tracks:

Fantasia que cantrahaze la harpa en la manera de Ludovico - Narciso Yepes
4 Studies: Study In C Minor, Op.35, No.14 - Narciso Yepes
4 Studies: Study In B Minor, Op.35, No.22 - Narciso Yepes
4 Studies: Study In B Major, Op.35, No.21 - Narciso Yepes
4 Studies: Study In E minor, Op.6, No.11 - Narciso Yepes
Recuerdos de la Alhambra - Narciso Yepes
Tango - Narciso Yepes
tiree de, Op.165: Malaguena - Narciso Yepes
Homenaje 'Le Tombeau de Claude Debussy' - Manuel De Falla
En los trigales - Narciso Yepes
Madronos - Narciso Yepes
Habanera - Narciso Yepes
Cancion y Danza No.1 - Narciso Yepes
Concierto de Aranjuez: 1. Allegro con spirito - Narciso Yepes
Concierto de Aranjuez: 2. Adagio - Narciso Yepes
Concierto de Aranjuez: 3. Allegro gentile - Narciso Yepes
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: 1. El pano moruno - Narciso Yepes
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: 2. Seguidilla murciana - Narciso Yepes
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: 3. Asturiana - Narciso Yepes
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: 4. Jota - Narciso Yepes
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: 5. Nana - Narciso Yepes
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: 6. Cancion - Narciso Yepes
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: 7. Polo - Narciso Yepes

Amazon.com

This set marks the beginning of Deutsche Grammophon's classic stereo recordings, when the company went from being sonically so-so to the sonic vanguard. Though many of these CDs are familiar, DG's programmers are clever enough to include some incredibly tantalizing tidbits that many collectors must have. Pierre Fournier and Friedrich Gulda probing recordings of Beethoven's Cello Sonatas Op. 69 and 102, No. 2, are filled out by a somewhat labored but still stylish 1971 recording of the Chopin Cello Sonata. Pianist Geza Anda seems sluggish in Mozart's Piano Concerto K. 449, but there's a fine performance of Schumann's Davidsbündlertänze. There are convenient compilation discs devoted to the great singers Rita Streich and Fritz Wunderlich. Even Eugen Jochum's familiar Bruckner Symphony No. 7 is filled out with the same composer's motets, while Mstislav Rostropovich's Schumann Cello Concerto also features a rarely heard, positively yummy Rachmaninoff Cello Sonata. Only discs devoted to Wilhelm Kempff (Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto), Herbert von Karajan (Beethoven Symphonies 3 and 8), Karl Böhm (Strauss tone poems and Mozart's Sinfonia Concertante), and Narciso Yepes (Rodrigo and Falla) lack that sexy spin. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Good Years for Classical Music.......2000-04-12

This set marks the transition of classical recordings into the Stereo age. There is so much material that it is difficult to address it all, but I will do my best! The first disc, 1958, features an all-Mozart program by Rita Streich, including arias from her unmatched performances as Die Königin der Nacht and Blonda, as well as a rarely heard "Aer Tranquillo" from Il Re Pastore. These coloratura arias are delivered with such precision and flute-like high notes that you may doubt parts of them human! The second disk is Pierre Fournier playing two of Beethoven's later cello sonatas as well as the all-too-rarely heard Chopin sonata. The next disc is also cello, and features Rostropovich with the Schumann concerto, Rachmaninov Sonata (another rare gem) and a previously unreleased on CD Rococo Variations of Tchaikowsky, which easily outdoes even his own performance with von Karajan. The next disc, featuring Wilhelm Kempff, showcases two of his finer recordings: The Emperor Concerto and Hammerklavier sonata, both of Beethoven. There is something about Kempff's Beethoven sonatas that is truly enchanting (he recorded the entire cycle of 32 no less than three times, although the first had a few omissions for space). The next disc is from 1962, and that means von Karajan's Beethoven symphonies 3 and 8, which many people probably have in their collections already. Superb they are, but I would have preferred some lesser-known recordings. Karl Böhm's CD, unfortunately, does not do him the justice he deserves. The Mozart Sinfonia Concertante is somewhat banal, although the Strauss is very nice, especially Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils. Böhm shines brightest as an opera conductor, and the Salome is the only operatic selection. Pity.

Eugen Jochum brings spark to a very nice Brucker 7th and motets, even to a less-than avid Bruckner person like myself. Fritz Wunderlich is featured next, with warm, passionate arias from Mozart, Haydn, Verdi (in German!) and 12 magnificent Schubert Lieder. Although his career may have only lasted 10 years (ending with his untimely death, in the middle of recording Haydn's Die Schöpfung), Wunderlich is truly one of the great German lyric tenors. Géza Anda is next, with a nice Mozart K. 449 (in which he also serves as conductor) and a surprisingly eloquent Davidsbündlertänze. The last disc of this box is Narciso Yepes at his 10-string guitar. Full of resonance and technical virtuosity, he displays a program exclusively of Spanish music, including Sor, Albéniz, Rodrigo's Concierto de Aranjuez and Falla's Spanish Folk Songs with Teresa Berganza. The intimacy of this last cycle of songs, mostly rather simple, is truly exquisite.

Even though many classical CD enthusiasts may have a few of these recordings in their collections already, this set is well worth the price, displaying eloquence and precision all the way through.

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