Rachmaninoff's First Symphony has a somewhat checkered history, in no small part due to a quite possibly drunk Glazunov conducting the first performance. Despite any initial unwelcome, it is now seen as a vibrant depiction of Russian civilisation and culture, recognised for its fluid, longing and expressive features. The English composer and academic Robert Simpson calling it ‘a powerful work in its own right…convinced, individual, finely constructed, and achieving a genuinely tragic and heroic expression’.
Balakirev was a member of Russia’s ‘Mighty Handful’, and Tamara is widely considered his greatest work. Described by The Telegraph as ‘a musical dream’ it is a sensuous and melodic work influenced by exotic and oriental culture, popular in the music of nineteenth century Russia.
Composers Sergei Rachmaninoff, Mily Balakirev Conductor Valery Gergiev Performers London Symphony Orchestra
Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op 13
1. i. Grave - Allegro non troppo
2. ii. Allegro animato
3. iii. Larghetto
4. iv. Allegro con fuoco
5. Tamara
Release Date 9 September 2016
LSO0784 | 822231178422
Producer James Mallinson Engineers Neil Hutchinson and Jonathan Stokes for Classic Sound LtdRecorded February 2015, Barbican, London
DSD (Direct Stream Digital) recording
Booklet in English, French & German
FLAC - 24bit 192kHz and 24bit 96kHz - Compatible with Windows and Android devices MP3 - 320kbps - Universal compatibility
SACD - Compatible with all CD players
Available on streaming services
Reviews
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Performance: ****½ Recording: **** ‘This disc is a worthy successor to the conductor's previous Rachmaninov recordings and admirers of those need not hesitate to add this one to their libraries.’
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Performance: **** Recording: **** ‘The LSO plays, as always, splendidly for Valery Gergiev. The general excellence and detail of their performance is remarkable.’
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‘Rachmaninov surely dreamt of a performance such as this. [Balakirev’s Tamara] deserves more exposure.’
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