Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Sanderling, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra

Rachmaninoff (Artist), Sanderling (Artist), Leningrad Po (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 1998)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GXP
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #232,401 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

This powerful, subjective reading, recorded in Berlin in 1956 when Sanderling and the Leningrad Philharmonic were on tour, has long been one of the classics of the catalog. It harks back to a different era both in its expressive urgency and in the notably flexible manner in which tempo is treated: an era in which passionate, spontaneous, all-out playing was a characteristic of many of the world's greatest musicians, nowhere more than in Russia. Sanderling and the Leningraders impart a high profile to the symphony's many moods, so that the contrast between the gloom of the first movement's introductory Largo and the heart-on-sleeve lyricism that comes later is quite telling. The climaxes are incandescent, but their heat comes less from surface activity than from the pressure of a deep sense of gloom, a fatal undertow, that pervades the entire performance; the connection with Tchaikovsky's "Pathétique" Symphony No. 6 is abundantly clear. Although the sound is monaural, the overall balance and dynamic range are quite impressive. The only drawback is a cut about 10 minutes into the finale that makes the symphony's exultant conclusion seem oddly premature. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Orchestral playing of great beauty, fervour and intensity., May 19, 2001

By 

John Austin "[e-mail]" (Kangaroo Ground, Australia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Sanderling, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

A great impression was created in the 1950s when a series of DGG recordings appeared. The recordings featured the Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra and the conductor was Kurt Sanderling. All agreed that the work of an orchestra and conductor in top form had been wondrously well captured on disc.

Well, here is one of those famous recordings, the most popular symphony of Rachmaninov, in a successful transfer to CD. You will hear playing of such beauty, fervour and intensity that you might begin to wonder, like me, why Rachmaninov's symphonies have seemed so hard to sit through in actual performance.

First time listeners will notice horn and oboe solos played on instruments with an unusual sonority. Also noticeable is the "spot-lighting" of the first violin soloist in the first movement. Don't let these oddities deter you, however. Consult any CD guide and reviewers manual and you'll find this CD either earning a rosette or topping the list.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great performance despite shortcomings, September 19, 2006

By 

music fan "music fan" - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Sanderling, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

This has long been my favorite recording of the Rachmaninov 2nd Symphony, despite two obvious shorcomings: first, the abbreviated fourth movement, which may have been needed to fit the entire symphony on a single LP without compromising sound quality; second, the distortion in louder passages, and overall sound quality that is good by 1956 mono standards, but far short of what is possible today. (However, the CD transfer is very good.)

On the positive side is its great power and passion, and at the same time clean, tight ensemble, a rare combination. It was recorded in a German church with just the right ambience for Rachmaninov. There have been many excellent versions since this one, but in my opinion none replace it.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning, May 17, 2000

By 

Anonymous (California USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 2 / Sanderling, Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra (Audio CD)

Being familiar with more modern approaches to this wonderful symphony, I was taken aback the first time I heard this CD. Sanderling, against all expectations, is rampantly expressive with shifts in tempo reminiscent of the great conductor Wilhelm Furtwangler. The result is an unforgettably poignant reading, above all in the crucial first movement. The orchestra is superb (wind and brass seem more under control than usual) and the recording, though mono, is fantastic for its time. I agree with amazon.com's reviewer that the finale is a slight disappointment, both in its unfortunate cut and in a unnecessarily cautious tempo. For this reason you may want to get another more recent version of the symphony (I suggest Pletnev or Ashkenazy) in addition to this one. But in the earlier movements Sanderling offers a unique experience that no Rachmaninov lover should miss!