Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor, op. 27 | Leonard Slatkin

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Rachmaninoff: Symphony no. 2 in E minor, op. 27

Russian State Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Leonard Slatkin
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[svb]

Leonard Slatkin is one of the most underrated conductors in the world. He has led, among many ensembles, the orchestras of St. Louis and Detroit in wonderful performances and recordings. In particular, his renditions of the entire Tchaikovsky ballet repertoire (Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty and Nutcracker) with St. Louis are recorded gems. This "live" performance demonstrates his mastery of Rachmaninoff and rivals the legendary 1973 recording by Andre Previn of the Second Symphony with the London Symphony Orchestra. In fact, it is a bit brisker and more exciting. Keep up the good work, Maestro Slatkin!

[ericcommarato]

...finally, someone conducted the cymbal part correctly.

[rayphenicie]

July 13, 2022, 7:48 pm EDT
An American conductor, at the very end of his career travels to Russia to conduct a premier Russian work much loved by the whole world.
Slatkin does best when the orchestra is in top notch, highly trained and very familiar with the music, which they are here in spades. He's very familiar with this score, having worked with several orchestras on it. So that helps too. It all adds up. Great performance.

[goflowjoe]

I don't know why, but the second theme of the second movement (20:10) moves me to tears every time I hear it. It hits my far more strongly than anything in the third movement. Anyone else?

[paulharmon]

Splendid! I regret he only gave us three symphonies. Don't recall hearing a bad recording. Slatkin's is wonderful. I don't make lists or rate them. But I've never been stirred more deeply than by Ormandy who was closely associated and influenced by the composer himself.