kudos for your extremely insightful and sensitive analysis - so wonderful to hear someone who can speak to the innate character and individual poetic style of a musical creation

Been waiting for this one... Queued up to watch tonight 😊

I nearly jumped off my seat when I saw your recommendation of Cura’s recording. (I also like it!) The slow movement is one of the most exquisite I’ve ever heard. The phrasing is so musical, especially near the end.

David, I just got this. You're right. Truly Exciting performance. Gorgeous 3rd movement! Beautifully recorded. Goes to the top of my Rach 2 list. I hope you're doing well, my friend.

Another very interesting video - covering a favourite symphony. I agree with a preference for the First Symphony (which I have in an Ormandy box set). I was introduced to the work years ago when the opening of the last movement was used by a TV current affairs programme here in the UK. I like to crank this up high except that speakers are replaced by headphones due to consideration for my neighbours! I probably run the risk of premature deafness as a result.

David Hurwitz, it's such a treat when you sing! I love the Temerkanov/RPO recording. Temirkanov, as you say, keeps the music moving as opposed to the late Previn recording which is like watching grass grow. It has beautiful sonics and sumptuous playing by the RPO. Many thanks for the recommendation!

Dear David, Thank you to share and suggest the best recordings. My first recording of Rachmaninoff symphonies was conducted by Dmitri Kitaenko / Kitajenko (who got below average review on Classicstoday) published by French label Monde think like more 30 years ago when just very few options in the market. Of course now there are plenty of options for us to enjoy. Will keep on listening and pick those you have suggested for comparison.

Hi David, I have heard Svetlanov, Termirkanov and Jansons and many others perform this symphony live. It wasn't until I had heard it live over 40 years ago that I learnt how to listen to it. I don't know if it is because of the visual clues of being in front of the the orchestra but it made so much sense on how skillful the symphony unfolds from the first note. It is this that gave me understanding on how to get the best from this fantastic work. Cheers Ian. ( Leicester UK ).

Dear Mr. Hurwitz, I really enjoy your videos.

Thanks for these recommendations. Personally, I cannot fathom why anyone would want to not have the exposition repeat. I believe the movement is *perfectly* constructed and works exactly as written, particularly if you have a conductor with an ear for detail, who will easily be able to make the repeat sound like completely new music by emphasizing a different set of the millions of lines Rachmaninoff has going. For this reason, this is actually my only regret with the Fisher performance, as I believe he would've pulled it off marvelously. Otherwise, I fully agree as to its quality. Also, fantastic recommendation with the Cura! These two performances really shine.

Wonderful overview of one of my favorite symphonies! I was surprised to see that you didn't mention one of the most celebrated of all recordings, the Kurt Sanderling/then 'Leningrad' Philharmonic. I also commend to your attention a stunning live performance by Dmitri Mitropoulos and The New York Philharmonic.

Hi, Dave! To tell you the truth, I've listened to this piece straight through maybe 10 times. But, Oh, that Adagio! I've returned to that dozens of times over the years; as with that gorgeous Andante from Mahler's 6th, which is also a bit of a slog, let's face it. It always rings my chimes. Like a trip to the moon on gossamer wings, it's just one of those things. I know and admire the Ormandy, with cuts, but my go-to guy has always been Rozhdestvensky. I never thought his version slow or dark, just very Tchaikovskian in the best sense. But I will be on the lookout for the Temirkanov and be checking out the Fischer, they both sound delicious. Thanks a million for that.

I have the Rozhdestvensky (PICKWICK) and it delivers a dark Russian Tchaikovskian approach that i do like. Very exciting, but I am looking for a nice new modern version so thanks for the recommendations.

Glad you mentioned the Wallenstein/LA Phil version--I've owned and enjoyed it for over 50 years and never was tempted to get a "complete" version.

There is one with the polish national radio symphony (conductor is Golovchin) that just hits me right on the introduction of the B theme in the opening movement (the one you describe as the Tchaikovskian/Russian romantic motto), the pace is just right and I haven't been affected as much from listening to other recordings.

It was good of you to mention the lousy Dutoit recordings. I have kept these recordings in my collection for nostalgia reasons only. I still remember going into the record store (long since closed) in the early 90s and purchasing these. Everything came in those stupid plastic long boxes at that time. There was much excitement on my part to pop the seal on these recordings, but the disappointment in the performances was quick to arrive. Dull as dirt. But this 2nd symphony became a little overplayed (and recorded) and so I got burned out on it and have pretty much given the work an extended hiatus from my listening repertoire. The dark opening movement is typical Rachmaninoff, and I just love that movement.

I remember hearing this at the Royal Albert Hall (Proms 2007 I think), and the audience suddenly coming awake with the "Eric Carmen" theme. You could almost sense the frustration of the audience waiting for it to be repeated to confirm what they just heard. Carmen also used the Ädagio sostenuto from Rachmaninov PC2 for his song "All By Myself

The version that does to me is Kurt Sanderling Leningrad (cut). What a hot reading. There is also a Kondrashin/Concertgebouw on one of the concertgebouw orchestra box sets.

The slow movement in Rachmaninoff Symphony No.02 is the piece that got me into classical music and that was about 10 years ago. I have heard about 10 renditions of the symphony and I like Ashkenazy w/ RCO the best. I will open myself to others I have not listened to yet but I'm prepared to be disappointed.

David, thank you so much for this video. This channel is the only thing keeping me sane through all this national turmoil. I absolutely love your description of listening to the third movement Adagio to this symphony. I've always been of two minds about it. I love the gorgeous melody but you're right. It does feel like getting stuck. How are we getting out of this? Anyway, please send more videos. Lots and lots of more videos. Thanks again.

Hello David, have you considered doing series along the lines of "The MUST-HAVE recordings by conductor X", or by artist, as opposed to by piece? Something like "The MUST-HAVE Karajan recordings", or "The MUST-HAVE Pollini recordings"? I think these would be fun. I'm enjoying your IDEAL series as well, would be nice to play a few passages during the reviews. Thank you and keep up the good work!

The Fischer recording is really something special. The CD Is an hybrid SACD and in SACD mode it's the best recorded sound I can remember hearing for a long time.

I appreciate all the reviews of Rachmaninoff Symphony 2 and so many other works that you do. One I did not see mentioned in this video and that may be the longest at 67:21 minutes is Royal Scottish National Orchestra/Owain Arwel Hughes. Have you heard it? What do you think of it?

Do you like the newer Litton with the Bergen phil on BIS? I think it's outstanding (and the sound is just fabulous).

David, Ashkenazy is truely a master in Rach #1. I also get stunned by his another Rach #1 conducting Philharmonia Orch live by signum classics. He even shows more sense of rhythm and detail tweaking. That's fun!

Thank you for such a well thought out review.

Many thanks David for recommending the Slatkin/Detroit recording. I have many versions of this work, and this performance is absolutely outstanding.

I have the ormandy on vinyl. Didn't know there was cuts. Does flow though.

Mr. H., could you do an overview of the usually neglected Rachmaninoff Third Symphony? Also, when doing so, could you explain why the timings go anywhere from 35 minutes to a staggering 55 minutes? The composer's own recording clocks in at 37 minutes, while Paavo Järvi's is 54 minutes long! ?

Interesting survey, and some great recommendations, though the Fischer recording never grew on me for some reason - I may have to revisit it. Two of my favorite recordings were not mentioned here: Bychkov/O de Paris (Philips) which I found tremendously exciting, and de Waart/Netherlands Radio Philharmonic (Exton) which I think is the reference on SACD. Have you heard them and if so what do you think?

One of the great 'might have beens' for me with this work is Stokowski - he was due to record it on the day he died. There's a live recording from 1946 with the Hollywood Bowl Orch. on YT which at least gives us some idea of Stoki's way with Rach 2. The big surprises are that 1) he doesn't muck around with the scoring - he's at his non-interventionist best here, and 2} it's uncut(!), with was unheard of back in the 1940s - though at 51 mins. one could be forgiven for thinking he might have done some of his customary slicin'-and-dicin' on the face of it. No, it's just a pretty fiery, impetuous, 'stringendo' perf. of the whole work. Well worth a hearing, elderly sound and all! For the rest, I'm happy with late Svetlanov, Previn and Fischer, with a fond nod back to Kletzki, whose rec. was my introduction to the work.

Interesting as always, Dave. You don't mention two of my favorites, one newer, one older: Lan Shui with the Singapore Sym. on Bis (with expo. repeat), and Kletzki with OSR on Decca (Eloquence) Wondering if you know them and what you think.

Any opinion of the Petrenko version with the Royal Liverpool? It is one with the first movement repeat. I liked his Shostakovich cycle but was not sure about his Rach cycle

Some labels have a thing for the Rach 2nd. Telarc's owners must have loved this symphony. They had the Previn with RPO, the Zinman you mention, Lopez-Cobos in Cincinnati and then P. Jarvi again in Cincinnati, and that's another excellent version. I've never understood the problem with the length of the symphony played complete: it's still shorter than most symphonies of Mahler and Bruckner which don't seem to cause problems.

Thank you for this very interesting video. Have you ever heard the still earlier recording with Ormandy and Philadelphia Orchestra on American Columbia from 1951 . I think you would love it too. It is here on you tube. Another question: Did Swetlanov recorde this twice. There is a recording with USSR Symphony Orchestra with the two standard cuts in the finale. The other movements are complete. The recording is from 1977 .

For the end of 1st mvt, I was hoping you'd play Bychkov w OdP, as a how NOT to do it. He has a bass drum that's just so loud, it sounds like a cannon! It's unbelievable! You hear nothing else on that last beat. Thanks for this talk! Again, I like to play this repertoire with Litton, and have played this one, but as always he changes the crap out of my timpani part, which you must have noticed in many of his recordings. That bothers me a lot!

Hi Dave, I'm coming back to this video because I've been hoarding lots of recordings of this symphony lately. I just wanted to ask you how do you think Litton's remake with the Bergen Philharmonic (on BIS) compares to his first effort with the Royal Philharmonic? The interpretation sounds pretty much identical to me (even the timings). However, on repeated listenings, I tend to find the Bergen version more exciting, especially in the finale. Not to mention you also get state-of-the-art sonics from BIS, and the disc is probably much easier to find! What's you're opinion?

"There is greatness all around us"

I’ve never rated Rachmaninov highly as a symphonist, and I think I slightly prefer Nos. 3 & 1 to No. 2. That said, Rozhdestvensky makes a fairly tasty meal out of this particular hash. Slow and serious and yes, very Slavic, but not ponderous or unduly grave. Even though I’m a big Slatkin fan, I somehow haven’t heard either of his 2nds. I’m going to have to give it a listen on Spotify as soon as this video raps up. To me Fischer might be the best maestro in the business right now, so I’ll check that out in due course as well. Thanks for walking us through all these recordings; perhaps I’ll come around to a more positive view of this piece if I keep on listening.

Dave, just a matter of interest because I'm not sure the recordings are available. What was your view on Walter Weller/ London Philharmonic Orchestra (DECCA) version?

Hello Mr.Hurwitz, Do you think you could ever do a video on nikolai medtner? To me sounds like a contrapuntal, more elegant Rachmaninoff I'm also curious to what you think of his music. Thank you

Hmm, very interesting analysis to look up as my local amateur orchestra are performing this next month. Now I'll know not to judge them too harshly.

I just watched Petrenko and the Oslo Philharmonic add an exclamation point to the first movement with a timpani stroke. I almost had a stroke.

I know I'm late to this great party, but I wonder if you'd care to comment on Temirkanov's 1994 remake with his St. Petersburg Orchestra on RCA. Thanks.

By coincidence I listened to Ivan Fischer on pretty darn high volume over the weekend and was really struck by the first movement. If you really crank it up and wallow in it, the phrasing and balances are deliberately discombobulating - you might say "anti romantic"?? Sometimes when Rach hands off melodies between instrumental sections, Fischer buries the transition beneath accompaniment so that things are off balance and off kilter. And he really revels in the dark murky weird choppiness of the first movement development - I can't remember another performance where the music sounds so freaking WEIRD. It really is almost un-Rachmaninovy. Ultimately, not likely to be my favorite because I am a big sap who likes the romantic Hollywood sound of Previn or Slatkin. But holy cow, it really challenged my notion of the symphony, made me pay attention to every second, and after a few more listens to the super romantic versions, I'll go back to Fischer's first movement to hear it without the sentimentality.

Slatkin/Detroit makes me like the Rach. triliogy more than I usually do (I also love Ashkenazy on #1). I also love Slatkin's "Symphonic Dances". Also, Slatkin has the best cover for #2 . . . . if that matters.

David, enjoying your series very much, keep it going! However, I must mention your stand on historical performances. If someone told me I could have only 1 Ein Heldenleben, it's not going to be Reiner, Karajan, Kempe etc. It's going to be Mengelberg NYP, in horrible 1928 sound. I could go on with other examples, Toscanini 1940 Missa Solemnis, Furtwangler Bruckner 9 etc. With performances like these, I'm willing to put up with the sound quality, aren't you? At least for me, the ears quickly adjust, I never find myself saying, "you know, if only the sound were better". Great performances should stand on their musical merit, not on their sound quality.

The Pavel Kogan cycle is vividly recorded and more "Russian" in feel and fact than the Fischer, good as that is. OK, it's not also SACD. But what a bone crunching power in that cycle! Thanks for the summary.

Great discussion! I always check first to see if the gratuitous timpani thwack ends the first movement. If it does, I avoid the performance. My current favorite is Slatkin on Naxos, though overall I like the 3rd symphony better than the 2nd! I grew up with Ormandy on Columbia and then added Slatkin’s St. Louis recording on cassette. I agree that his Detroit performance is quite special, but I’ll have to hear Fischer now. You didn’t mention Petrenko. What do you think of it? I have his 3rd which I recall you recommended. Thanks again! I

Ya has escuchado la actuacion de Kirill Petrenko?

Have you don a talk on the 3rd yet?

Prefer the last Ormandy on RCA (great sound from Sony Japan remaster); Ormandy embodies the Rachmaninoff sound and passion like no other.

The Rozhdestvensky has the timpani stroke in the ending of the 1st movement IIRC. A quite lyrical, expansive performance.

I listened Walter Weller with the London Phil. Then Edo de Waart with the Rotterdam Phil. So, here I have a lot of Catching up to do...

I have the Canyon Classics set and treasure it.

This was a wonderful video David! Insightful as always. What are your thoughts on Rachmaninoff's Symphony 3 as a piece? I find it to be incredibly underrated, but I'm curious as to what you think.

I must admit that I prefer the loud timpani stroke at the end of the 1st movement rather than the less powerful string bass section.

Personally - a big no to Svetlanov's cycle (Pony Classics). Borders on absurd with the weird tempi changes and even worse ritardandos! By the way, he also employs the timpani at the end of the first movement - as does about 1/2 of your presented survey. Maybe a lot of conductors add that because Ormandy did so as well? It's used so much I wonder if Rachy penciled it in after publication? Not unlike his own post-publication tinkerings with his Symphonic Dances...

Since Pittsburgh is having the best horn section in the entire universe, which orchestra is rumored to have the best string section?

Agree with your top pick, though the ARG editor does not like it. Have you heard the arrangement of the symphony as a piano concerto? Interesting, but I’m not sure it works.

Is there a solid source that Rachmaninoff was left-handed?

I'm just here to say the data harvesting by Apple/Spotify/Google is getting crazy, I just finished listening to the Symphony No. 2 for the first time ever, and the first thing I see when I open up KZfaq is this video. Not that I'm complaining, because I want to learn and listen to other recordings besides Ashkenazy/Concertgebouw, but it is a little bit unsettling

Oh, Previn... I bought the expensive Japanese sacd, just based on the press reviews. I wanted to hear the so-called best version in best sound, hehe. Alas, it was not terrible but I never liked it as much (british) critics do.

Part of the reasons for the cuts was the problem of getting the Symphony on disks at the time.......

David, I can’t say I like it more than the 2nd, but I too just love the 1st. I don’t get why it was such a failure and caused Rachmaninov’s depression after it premiered. It’s not that you didn’t talk about that. I’d think he would’ve been furious rather than have a nervous breakdown. But then, I’m not a great composer.

I don't care for the piece. Two out of the four movements meander such that I can't follow where he's going. Shorter would have been better. The work I like most: The Bells. The one I really dislike: PC#3. It meanders forever. Ready for your barbs, fans!

I own every disc presented here and more but I have to say it’s a sin not to include Edo de Waart and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra on Philips.