David Robinson | Oakland, CA United States | 01/07/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is the other "Rach 2". If you know Rachmaninoff through the piano works, and know that he was a brilliant performer, this symphony will astound you. It is a major romantic work, owing some heritage in the brass sounds to Tchaikovsky. Rachmaninoff seemed to have a bottomless well of haunting melodies. If you are trying to read while listening to this, you'll find yourself putting your work aside by the time you get to the Adagio (third movement).1985 must have been "The Perfect Year" for Andre Previn and the RPO. In addition to recording the Elgar symphonies, the Previn/RPO team nailed this symphony in a crisp DDD recording. The tempi are nice and measured (without wallowing) and Previn takes the RPO from a whisper to some really kicking fortes. (The tuba and the rest of the brass sound wonderful if you have a sub-woofer).A must-have CD for any serious lover of classical music."
A superb performance of a great symphony.
D. R. Schryer | Poquoson, VA United States | 07/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rachmaninov's Symphony No. 2 is a great symphony. And the third movement is one of the most gorgeous slow movements ever written. Although I love the whole symphony, I often program my CD player to play the gorgeous third movement over and over again. Pop singer Eric Carmen turned the main melody of this movement into the hit song "Never Gonna Fall in Love Again. But you have to hear this movement -- and indeed the whole symphony -- performed by Andre Previn to fully appreciate how beautiful they are. Previn has stated that he has a special fondness for this symphony and his performance reveals his empathy for it. No other recorded performance even comes close to this one. If you love great music, I beg you to get this recording."
Superb performance of an ultra-romantic masterpiece
Conrad H. Weisert | Chicago, Illinois USA | 02/13/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Perfect balances and precise attacks reveal every detail in the composer's complex score. Previn paces the work perfectly. Stunning sound by Telarc. Highly recommended."
And, still in fantastic sound!
Mark Zimmerman | Chicago, IL USA | 09/12/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I like the way "RumCow" says it's still the same old 1985 sound even though Amazon lists it as being issued in 2002. Apparently, from what I've noticed after reading Amazon's stats on CD's for a long time this apparently must mean that it was reissued in 2002, but is still the same recording it was for sound and performance from when it was first in print back in '85. Well, this Bipolar Bear rates for both Sound and Performance in my database for CD's where I rate things on a scale of from 0 - 11, 11 being Superb, can't find anything to complain about at all. Well, I rated this an 11 when I first got it in '85 and, even by today's standards in digital recording it still deserves an 11 for both Sound and Performance. So, don't hesitate. If you want a Rachmaninov Second by all means get this recording. It's still one of the best out there, and now at a reduced price!
Track Listings (4) - Disc #1
