Search - Sergei Rachmaninov, Andre Previn, London Symphony Orchestra :: Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Vocalise / Aleko: Intermezzo & Women's Dance (EMI Great Recordings of the Century)

Outstanding recording in outstanding sound

N. Zhu | Florida | 02/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This classic recording from 1972 is my favorite of the Rachmaninov 2nd symphony, better in my opinion than more recent ones by Mariss Jansons (EMI) and Mikhail Pletnev (DG). Previn's Rachmaninov symphony cycle with the LSO was a landmark achievement, and the 2nd is the best of them. It's a passionate, heart-on-sleeves performance of total commitment. And what a slow movement! I doubt the clarinet solo has ever sounded lovelier. EMI's choices for "Great Recordings of the Century" have not been uniformly wise, but this one is right-on. This (third) digital remastering has restored the gloriously warm and rich sound of the original; in terms of sound quality the Previn is fully competitive with Jansons and Pletnev, and the performance beats them both. At mid-price, don't hesitate."

The best returns

V. Wilson | Cambridge, MA United States | 08/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"...this is the best Rachmaninov 2nd available. Previn and the LSO recorded it after having toured the then Soviet Union and you can hear that experience in this recording. Normally, English musicians play with a bit of a stiff upper lip, but not here. Previn and the LSO delve into the slightly over-the-top emotionalism of this piece and produce a rich, romantic recording. Only the Temirkanov recording (from around the same time) come close to this one in real emotion. Every other, more recent recording I've heard sounds dreadfully routine compared to Previn and Temrikanov. (Could it be that people are embarrased by the overt emotion here?) Many of those performances sound LONG, as well, because it has to be admitted that this symphony has padding. Previn and the LSO play as if it's all great music and sweep you right along with them.If you don't have this music, you should (assuming you like a good emotional wallow once in awhile), and this it the version to get. (If you can find the Temrikanov around cheap, get it as well. It's a bit more fiery than Previn if less overtly beautiful.)"

A rightful classic reading of one of the great symphonies

Kenji Fujishima | East Brunswick, NJ USA | 06/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Other than Vladimir Ashkenazy's performance of Rachmaninov's Second Symphony with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (I believe), this classic reading with Andre Previn leading the London Symphony Orchestra---the first fully uncut performance of the piece---is the only performance of this wonderful work that I've heard, and frankly I'd be just fine having only this recording in my library to represent the work. Previn's tempos in all four movements may be deliberate, but still the reading as a whole never fails to convince. What matters most with this piece is that Rachmaninov's great melodies and soaring emotion are not shortchanged by either conductor or orchestra, and on that level the LSO and Previn do not disappoint. They are masterful in all four movements, but it is the third movement Adagio that a listener will most likely remember most. It may be slow (Ashkenazy was slightly brisker here, while Mikhail Pletnev, in his more recent DG recording, even more brisk and unsentimental) but it still packs an emotional wallop. The couplings are also very good, particularly the short and sweet "Vocalise." Right now, this is one of my favorite classical recordings, and my enthusiasm for it is not likely to lessen anytime soon."