Rachmaninov - Symphony 2 [Ashkenazy-Concertgebouw Orchestra] I had a discussion a while back, with someone about the merits of Rachmaninov versus Ravel, who timewise lived parallel lives, but there the similarity ends, i sided for Rachmaninov, and he sided for Ravel, his Second Symphony was one of the works quoted, and i somewhat embarrassingly admitted i loved it, and yet i recognized it was full of romantic gush, big sweeping string surges, every schmaltzy heart-tug device in the book, you name it, it's almost naive / clichéd to the extreme, and yet... playing it today i love it more than ever!, it has a sweep and grandeur to it, a plot and story line, it's like Rachmaninov's version of Romeo & Juliet set to music, a big screen movie weepie, i must be a big ol' softie romantic at heart!.
Vladimir Ashkenazy is a Russian Pianist and Conductor, born in 1937, he is now in his Seventies, he recorded this Symphony in 1981, this set of the three Symphonies has been re-issued in a slimline double case, and yet these original 'fatbox' three disc sets are a joy to own, i much rather prefer them.
I'm actually surprised how 'even' i enjoyed all the movements of this Symphony today, especially the first movement, it really does have a character to it, it's musical ideas unfold in a marvellous way, there's no re-treading of ground, rather Rachmaninov can create subtle yet significant changes to the piece, which culminates in a very satisfying musical experience, having said all that, it's still the third movement which i found tugged at my heart the most, the clarinet melody at the beginning [0:27-2:30] is just so gorgeous, so moving and atmospheric, the equally affecting string melody right afterwards just adds to the heart-tug of it all [2:30-3:10], the cor anglais and oboe duet a little later is so plangent and melancholy [4:22-4:44 & 5:01-5:17], such an excellent use of individual instruments to character and colour the whole feel of the movement, and later a procession of individual instruments take it in turns to express their opinions [7:29-8:35], the horn [7:29], the violin [7:36], the cor anglais [7:48], the flute [7:56], the oboe [8:08], and the clarinet [8:13], there's a lovely aching high treble passion that comes from the violins [10:42], that culminates in a real moment of wondrous sweet nostalgia [11:09], and it's topped by the melody played in forte by the whole orchestra [11:21], the singing violins are underpinned by the horns, my gosh!, if this doesn't twang your heart, then you haven't got one!.
Here's Vladimir Ashkenazy playing the second movement on YouTube.
