Rachmaninov; Tchaikovsky: Symphony 2; Francesca/Svetlanov

David Hurwitz

Artistic Quality:

Sound Quality:

They don’t make ’em like this anymore. Ferociously vulgar, full of self-regarding rubato, with whopping cuts in the scherzo and finale, this 1985 live recording (captured in surprisingly decent sound) improves on Svetlanov’s previous performance in terms of spontaneity and sheer energy without rising to the magisterial gorgeousness of his Canyon Classics “musical testament”. It’s really tremendous fun hearing these guys smoking through the opening of the finale and turning the first movement’s coda into a noisy chaos of brass sonority. The same observations hold true for Francesca, with the same caveat: if you can find the Canyon Classics digital remake, that’s finer still and much better sounding than this 1968 live effort; but it’s still one wild ride, and for many listeners I suspect that will be recommendation enough.


Recording Details:

Reference Recording: Temirkanov (EMI), Svetlanov (Canyon Classics)

SERGEI RACHMANINOV - Symphony No. 2
PETER ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY - Francesca da Rimini

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