Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 (CD)

“The great Adagio is done with passionate feeling and with swooping portamenti . . . opulent and exciting.” — MusicWeb International

A pairing of two luscious, romantic works by Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninov — known primarily for his piano works. In his Second Symphony, Rachmaninov employs a substantial orchestra to create rich harmonies and textures reminiscent of late Bruckner with a tinge of Tchaikovsky. His Isle of the Dead is a symphonic poem based on a black and white reproduction of Arnold Böcklin's painting of the same name, which Rachmaninoff saw in Paris in 1907, and is regarded as a classic example of Russian late-romanticism at the beginning of the twentieth century.

Rachmaninov Symphony No. 2 in E Minor, Op. 27
Eugene Ormandy conductor
Philadelphia Orchestra

Rachmaninov The Isle of the Dead
Fritz Reiner conductor
Chicago Symphony Orchestra
1957, Orchestra Hall, Chicago

Discs: 1
Record Label: RCA
Release Year: 1990