About 18 months ago I welcomed
a
EMI re-issue, of the majority of Rachmaninov's
orchestral works by Jansons
and the St Petersburg Philharmonic (see also the original
release
review).
Before I go any further might I remind you that
this
Jansons set is essential listening and should be on
every record shelf for it is without peer. The present
set includes
the recording of the second Symphony from that earlier
box thus putting this re–issue into competition with itself!
I cannot see the point of this for EMI has Previn's fine
complete recording of this Symphony (recently reissued
again as part of EMI’s 10CD set of
André Previn - The
Great Recordings 50999 2 67969 2 5) in their vaults
and that would have fitted very nicely into this set. Then
I must remember that not everyone will want everything
which is in the Jansons box – I wonder why? – and, truth
be told, this is a very enticing set.
If you only want the second of Rachmaninov's Symphonies
then this is for you.
Quite often the
3rd Concerto doesn't satisfy
me as much as I always expect it should. It's a very elusive
work – heavy with that melancholy Russian soul – and even
though it is full of good things it isn't immediately approachable
as is its predecessor. I suspect that some of my dissatisfaction
is with the problem of interpretation. To see the piece through
from beginning to end takes some feat of mental stamina,
not to mention physical strength. Andsnes has both the intelligence
and the heft, as well as a full understanding of this music,
to know exactly how to make this music speak to us. This
performance was recorded over three days of live performances
and there's a thrill about it which adds that frisson of
excitement to the recording. Berglund gives solid support,
and the darkness of some of the music is fully realised.
Rachmaninov's funeral cortege –
The Isle of
the Dead – is an astonishing piece of work – a large
scale funereal ode for a large orchestra with no respite
whatsoever from the unremitting gloom. It's also one of
Rachmaninov's greatest works in terms of suspense, atmosphere
and boldness. The
Symphonic Dances is Rachmaninov's
final work and it's equally astonishing in what it has
to say and how it says it. These two performances, from
the great days of Previn and the LSO, are very fine indeed.
Previn builds a fine climax whilst keeping the dirge–like
tread in
Isle of the Dead well in hand, never allowing
the music itself to become dirge–like. He directs a suave
waltz for the middle of the Dances and a strong and well
focused finale. These are very well played performances
but ultimately they miss the extra ounce of power which
Jansons brings to them in his recordings. The ever-present
menace of death in
Isle of the Dead and the manic,
suicidal, out of control Armageddon which is the finale
of the
Dances are not there. Make no mistake, these
Previn performances are fine and if this coupling is to
your taste then you will be very pleased with what's on
offer.
Bob Briggs