Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27

“exceptional Telarc sound … stylish, wholly natural grasp of Rachmaninov's very particular phraseology” Gramophone

“Free from unwarranted mannerism and over-indulgence, Zinman negotiates the ebb and flow of Rachmaninov's heartfelt melodic language with a real sense of purpose.” BBC Music Magazine, October 2008 *****

“……the orchestra’s performance of Capriccio Espagnol is the real treat here. A clear, bright sound renders the music freshly energised, while the exciting rhythms and lively, sparkling melodies simply carry you away.” Classic FM Magazine, September, 2008

“…….a seriously thrilling performance. Few conductors have ever been able to generate orchestral playing of this voltage level, and Svetlanov’s masterly control channels everything to maximum effect. Rachmaninov’s impressive early symphonic poem, The Rock, is superbly done too.” Classic FM Magazine, March 2008

“Svetlanov paces Rachmaninov's symphonic epic with strength and no excess sentimentality - though the finale suffers from two of the cuts still fashionable in 1968. Melodiya sound is reasonably good for its vintage.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2008 ****

'a searingly powerful reading of The Isle of the Dead, which I count the finest performance of all in Ashkenazy's Rachmaninov series'. (Gramophone)

“I love core repertoire, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 is a sweeping example of the Russian symphonic tradition and perhaps the most popular of his orchestral works,” says Paavo Järvi. “It’s particularly exciting to record Rachmaninoff’s lesser-known gems such as the two gypsy dances from Aleko and the charming little Scherzo from 1888.”

“I love core repertoire, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2 is a sweeping example of the Russian symphonic tradition and perhaps the most popular of his orchestral works,” says Paavo Järvi. “It’s particularly exciting to record Rachmaninoff’s lesser-known gems such as the two gypsy dances from Aleko and the charming little Scherzo from 1888.”

That luscious adagio is always the pivotal moment of any performance of Rachmaninov's titanic second symphony, and the sensuous strings of the Budapest Festival Orchestra under its co-founder, Ivan Fischer, make this outstanding recording no exception. But the outer movements are not, for once, overshadowed by its lyrical beauty; Fischer is at pains to demonstrate their sinuous strengths, drawing a rich range of colours from his very accomplished players. In this impressive company the celebrated Vocalise, a bonus to an already fulfilling programme, amounts to a soothing encore. The Observer 23rd May 04 Anthony Holden