- Original Release Date: 11 May 2010
- Label: LSO Live
- Copyright: 2010 London Symphony Orchestra Ltd
- Total Length: 1:00:50
- Genres:
- ASIN: B003FBV8IO
- Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 78,086 in MP3 Albums (See Top 100 in MP3 Albums)
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| Song Title | Time | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Play | 1. Symphony No. 2: I. Largo - Allegro moderato | 22:31 | Album Only | |
| Play | 2. Symphony No. 2: II. Allegro molto | 9:49 | £0.69 | |
| Play | 3. Symphony No. 2: III. Adagio | 14:21 | Album Only | |
| Play | 4. Symphony No. 2: IV. Allegro vivace | 14:09 | Album Only |
Product details |
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 23 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The CD description given by Amazon accurately portrays this quintessentially romantic work; in particular, the slow movement melody is very well known. Of Rachmaninov's three symphonies, it is the most popular, and this is my fourth SACD of the work.
Gergiev's duration is almost 61 minutes - he does not linger unduly, but neither does he rush, with the possible exception of the closing bars, which I have not heard to sound faster than on this SACD. As a comparison, Paavo Jarvi on Telarc (see my review) takes approximately 4 minutes longer overall. Incidentally, there is no 'filler' on this disc, unlike Jarvi's.
Obviously the LSO is very familiar with this popular work; it has made memorable recordings of it (including one with Andre Previn that I treasured) and the musicians give their all for Gergiev. If any orchestra can provide the conductor with all his requirements, the LSO can; there are many beautiful moments on this disc including a ravishing clarinet solo in the slow movement. Gergiev's tempo and dynamic changes are accomplished with ease, and the brisk ending is the only point at which I hear any effort.
I am pleased to be able to welcome a new recording from this source; the LSO Live series has not always satisfied me. As a whole I would describe this recording as clear, revealing, slightly dry and lean-sounding. There is no audience noise, and the slight dryness in the timpani and bass drum lead me to guess that it is multi-miked, balanced expertly. As with some previous issues from LSO Live, I find that an increase in my normal volume level, (of about 3dB), pays dividends and helps to add some ambience, and clarity in the double-basses.... Read more ›
Gergiev's duration is almost 61 minutes - he does not linger unduly, but neither does he rush, with the possible exception of the closing bars, which I have not heard to sound faster than on this SACD. As a comparison, Paavo Jarvi on Telarc (see my review) takes approximately 4 minutes longer overall. Incidentally, there is no 'filler' on this disc, unlike Jarvi's.
Obviously the LSO is very familiar with this popular work; it has made memorable recordings of it (including one with Andre Previn that I treasured) and the musicians give their all for Gergiev. If any orchestra can provide the conductor with all his requirements, the LSO can; there are many beautiful moments on this disc including a ravishing clarinet solo in the slow movement. Gergiev's tempo and dynamic changes are accomplished with ease, and the brisk ending is the only point at which I hear any effort.
I am pleased to be able to welcome a new recording from this source; the LSO Live series has not always satisfied me. As a whole I would describe this recording as clear, revealing, slightly dry and lean-sounding. There is no audience noise, and the slight dryness in the timpani and bass drum lead me to guess that it is multi-miked, balanced expertly. As with some previous issues from LSO Live, I find that an increase in my normal volume level, (of about 3dB), pays dividends and helps to add some ambience, and clarity in the double-basses.... Read more ›
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
By Tintagel
Format:Audio CD
The LSO has, of course, made a classic recording of this work already under Previn. That performance has plenty of romantic ardour and feeling for the sometimes autumnal colours and melancholic mood. This new performance adds supreme orchestral execution to the mix, where Previn's 1970's LSO isn't quite as refined as the sentimental hoards around at the time might have you believe.
Certainly the Barbican acoustic doesn't impart much bloom on the sound, but there is so much going on in the orchestra, and the recording is so detailed that you hardly notice at the start, and not at all later on.
Gergiev allows the music plenty of space to breathe without loss of momentum, though he is helped by the Orchestra's magnificently incisive playing. Every voice speaks cleanly and clearly, yet the Russian forcefulness blazes through.
The great, sweeping string melody in the finale may not have quite the intensity of Pletnev's RNO version, but it's all of a piece with Gergiev's conception. The finale's coda goes off like a rocket, fuelled by pure adrenalin.
A great classic in the making, surely.
Certainly the Barbican acoustic doesn't impart much bloom on the sound, but there is so much going on in the orchestra, and the recording is so detailed that you hardly notice at the start, and not at all later on.
Gergiev allows the music plenty of space to breathe without loss of momentum, though he is helped by the Orchestra's magnificently incisive playing. Every voice speaks cleanly and clearly, yet the Russian forcefulness blazes through.
The great, sweeping string melody in the finale may not have quite the intensity of Pletnev's RNO version, but it's all of a piece with Gergiev's conception. The finale's coda goes off like a rocket, fuelled by pure adrenalin.
A great classic in the making, surely.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By osteoconnor
Format:Audio CD
I heard a sample of this performance on Classic FM and was immediately impressed by the care taken over the complex detail of the piece. Checking the reviews on Amazon, I hesitated to purchase, as there seemed to be a divergence of opinion. Then my son bought me the CD for Christmas - thanks Lau, this is simply brilliant. The performance is Rachmaninov for listeners who want more than just the big themes. The LSO is well-balanced, the strings soaring when necessary but not dominating, the brass section a bright punctuation where required, and the clarity to hear, for example, some fine tuba playing. In the well-known slow movement, the opening string ritornello is kept under control, so that it can return with differing emphasis throughout the movement, and so that one wistfully lonely clarinet can set the tone of the movement. There are some unusual modulations of tempo, but they work, and the sheer pace and energy of the final passage fair takes the breath away. There is plenty of sumptuous, heart-tugging Rachmaninov on the market: it is good to hear a performance that does the composer credit by allowing the subtle complexities of this symphony to come to the fore. Now would Georgiev and the LSO be so kind as to record the Symphonic Dances, please?
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gergiev turns out your dream Rachmaninov, exciting yet full of inner life
29 Mar 2012
Format:Audio CD
Being the greatest Russian conductor alive, it seems natural that Gergiev turn to the Rachmaninov 2nd now that he's at the helm of a great orchestra. Rachmaninov asks for sweeping power, something that Gergiev never seems to lack. Yet I think Rachmaninov is more than noise, so I approached this disc hoping that Gergiev would be able to give us more than excitement. With two great recordings already in my library from Jansons and Ashkenazy, I hoped that Gergiev would be able to something new and remarkable.
I'll confess that my greatest fear was that Gergiev would miss the beauty in this piece. Full of natural flair, I knew that Gergiev would be able to let us in on the power and passion side of Rachmaninov; would he let us see Rachmaninov's melancholic broodings? The opening "Largo" is every bit as intense and yearning as Jansons and Ashkenazy, perhaps more so. But Gergiev's true moment comes when the "Allegro moderato" begins. I simply wasn't prepared for anything so achingly beautiful. Gergiev is incredibly tender, yet he lets the music run its course. As the movement progresses, Gergiev is both sensitive and spontaneous. Gergiev makes the music seem inevitable, fresh from the pen yet it never sounds reckless. Gergiev digs much deeper than either Jansons or Ashkenazy while still seeming the most exciting. I was breathless the first time I listened.
Ashkenazy had the natural advantage of the Concertgebouw's high level of playing in the rambunctious 2nd movement. Gergiev's LSO is more polished and dark, but they don't sound as effortless as the Concertgebouw. But Gergiev again seems more involved than his rivals; there's a pulsating drama throughout that moves me in a way Ashkenazy doesn't.... Read more ›
I'll confess that my greatest fear was that Gergiev would miss the beauty in this piece. Full of natural flair, I knew that Gergiev would be able to let us in on the power and passion side of Rachmaninov; would he let us see Rachmaninov's melancholic broodings? The opening "Largo" is every bit as intense and yearning as Jansons and Ashkenazy, perhaps more so. But Gergiev's true moment comes when the "Allegro moderato" begins. I simply wasn't prepared for anything so achingly beautiful. Gergiev is incredibly tender, yet he lets the music run its course. As the movement progresses, Gergiev is both sensitive and spontaneous. Gergiev makes the music seem inevitable, fresh from the pen yet it never sounds reckless. Gergiev digs much deeper than either Jansons or Ashkenazy while still seeming the most exciting. I was breathless the first time I listened.
Ashkenazy had the natural advantage of the Concertgebouw's high level of playing in the rambunctious 2nd movement. Gergiev's LSO is more polished and dark, but they don't sound as effortless as the Concertgebouw. But Gergiev again seems more involved than his rivals; there's a pulsating drama throughout that moves me in a way Ashkenazy doesn't.... Read more ›
Most Recent Customer Reviews
3.0 out of 5 stars
Disappointing and Dull Rachmaninov
I have to agree with all the last reviewer (Marc Haegeman) has to say about this interpretation by Gergiev of Rachmaninov's most popular symphony. Read more
Published on 27 Jun 2010 by Dame Celia
3.0 out of 5 stars
Gergiev versus Gergiev
For the last twenty years Valery Gergiev has proven extremely prolific on the CD market. Next to being one of the busiest maestro's in the world, he has been churning out... Read more
Published on 6 Jun 2010 by Marc Haegeman
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating version that sets a new standard for the Rachmaninov...
I think few people would disagree that Gergiev is our pre-eminent Rachmaninov conductor. Not so long ago that would have been minor praise, but with the influx of so many talented... Read more
Published on 11 May 2010 by Santa Fe Listener
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