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 Ltd Recorded 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