Sergei Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 3; Symphonic Dances [Import]

Mikhail Pletnev (Artist), Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Russian National Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Russian National Orchestra
• Composer: Sergey Rachmaninov
• Audio CD (April 1, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Dg Imports
• ASIN: B000007OE3
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #302,550 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice but almost brilliant, January 15, 2004

By 

Fabio M Costa (São Paulo, Brazil) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sergei Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 3; Symphonic Dances (Audio CD)

Excellent orchestra, beautifully played, musically and technically top notch, great string sound. Yet some of the tempi seem slow to me, notably in the Symphony, as if somewhat labored, and it costs fluency and the keeping through of the dramatic tension, ocasionally. I still find Mackerras to be more fluent, organic and flexible, but this is no doubt a respectable recording of Rach's 3.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Rachmaninov played with restraint and refinement -- but why?, November 14, 2008

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Sergei Rachmaninov: Symphony No. 3; Symphonic Dances (Audio CD)

I am always of two minds about Mikhail Pletnev, a brilliant and original pianist who somehow loses any sense of excitement when he puts on his hat as conductor. This Rachmaninov Third Sym. is anothr chapter in his restrained, reticent traversal of Russian orchestral music (other chapters are devoted to equally bland Tchaikovsky and Prokofiev). He seems more interested in getting beautiful sounds from his Russian National Orch. than in forward motion, much less drama.

I can understand why Pletnev wants to dissociate himself from the crass Soviet style that one heard too often, but he's deprived Rachmaninov of vitality along the way. Much the same holds for the Symphonic Dances, Rachmannov's last orchestral wrok, which cries out for more passion and abandon. I had lost interest long before this CD was over.