Search - Rachmaninov, Mariss Jansons, St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra :: Symphonies 1-3 / Piano Concerto 1-4 / Isle of Dead

An excellent set now as a compilation.

07/11/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great set of Rachmaninov recordings, which until recently could only be bought in pieces. EMI deserves praise for making these worthy performances, under direction of Mariss Jansons, available in a box set.Not only as a recording accomplishment but on artistic grounds as well does this set deserve to be offered as a compilation. The piano concertos are all distinguished and really have not received the exposure that they deserve. Mikhail Rudy offers a fine performance throughout. This set, if it is a straight reissue of the previous Piano Concertos, should also include the original, and very interesting, conclusion to the 4th Piano Concerto. The recording of the Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 is also a fine work that has been put into this Rachmaninov box set. In the symphonies Mariss Jansons makes his own unique stamp on these works and the result is very satisfactory throughout. While one may disagree with some elements of his interpretations, such as his election to do the 2nd and 3rd Symphonies without the exposition repeats, one cannot fault his overall approach and vitality. In addition to the well-known Vocalise, the listener gets the mysterious and rarely-recorded Scherzo as an additional filler piece.Jansons has created a compilation here that is nearly as comprehensive as those done by Ashkenazy (Decca) and Slatkin (Vox). Overall I would rate this set sonically and artistically slightly below Ashkenazy, but slightly better than Slatkin. I stronly recommend this set as a complement to either compilation."

Excellent Rachmaninov and a Special Hidden Gem As Well!

Frederick Baptist | Singapore | 08/07/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I had a similar set done by the Concertgebouw but this box set of Rachmaninov's Orchestral Works is my favourite and in my opinion the better in all aspects. The cardboard box packaging with cardboard inner sleeves to hold the 6 cds is very well designed and comes with a 40-page glossy booklet containing an essay on the composer by Andrew Huth in English, German and French in addition to the track listings as well as a hidden gem of my favourite Piano Concerto of all time being Tchaikovsky's played masterfully by Mikhail Rudy and the then Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra. Mariss Jansons does an excellent interpretation of Rachmaninov's works here as well and this DDD recording means the sound quality is very, very good. True bargains are few and far between these days but you can count this excellent box set among them. This is now my favourite Rachmaninov collection and I cannot recommend it highly enough."

What a steal!

Daniel W. Fowler | Austin TX | 01/09/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 6-cd overview of Rachmaninov orchestral works offers compelling and consistent readings of some gorgeous music. Mariss Jansons has a real affinity for Rachmaninov's music, and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic executes his instructions flawlessly. The recording is first rate as well. Personal favorites from the set include a ravishing Symphonic Dances, and the whole set of piano concertos, where Janson and his orchestra interact very well with pianist Mikhail Rudy. Janson and his forces offer a vision of these works that can easily hold its own next to other worthy interpretations offered by Ashkenazy and Ormandy, two of my other favorites. This set would make an excellent introduction to Rachmaninov's orchestral world or a valuable supplement to an existing library of Rachmaninov recordings."