Repertoire: The BEST Rachmaninoff "The Bells" (Choral Symphony)

[@divox9pqr]

You hit it right on the head. My high school male glee club combined with a girls chorus to perform this work many yrs ago in Baltimore. It’s dark, moody, emotional character was a kick in the pants to my desire to be a musician and more importantly a composer. I loved all of Rachmaninov, but this piece really did it for me. I love just about any recording of it , and each one has it strengths. I go for the ones where the choir in the choral movement exhibits the most wailing , terror, and contrast with the lower voices have a percussive sound. Strangely the Russians get the text better than the English choirs who sound somewhat tame in most of the recordings I’ve heard. This might be an indication of the rehearsal techniques and conductor approach. The Andre Previn recording is a good English attempt. The the solos, I like the Tear, Armstrong, and the late Shirley-Quirk. His lugubrious, sonorous vocal sound is the best I’ve ever heard for the bass solo. Armstrong delivers the longing for the happiness of youth and longing for love in a very beautiful tone and vocal line. Tear does a fine job, but my preference is for an earlier version by George Shirley. Moving away from this piece is the fabulous Fantasy for two pianos with its depictions of nature which is just thrilling to me. But, so much of Rachmaninov is just that…thrilling.

[@hoifcheu7533]

Special thanks for this episode. I discovered The Bells when I was a teenager and loved it since then. The ending of the piece remains on the top three of my list of the most moments in music.

[@MennoTeekens42]

The bells is my second favorite Rachmaninoff piece. And the Rattle version was the first i heard. And indeed also the best! (My favorite rachmaninoff piece is the all night virgil, it was also one of rachmaninoffs favorites. But i think im one of a few who rate it as his most beautiful)

[@violadamore2-bu2ch]

The English horn solo beginning the last movement brings tears to my eyes, the sound of oblivion.....

[@mrmrosullivan]

The Ashkenazy one is the recording that revealed the work to me when I started collecting in the 90s - and it showed the possibilities, especially the opening. The Rattle I bought a few years ago because I thought "The Berlin Phil? The Bells? Doesn't happen all the time." And, yes it's superb and my go-to - brings out the details and it doesn't feel as smudgy as the Ashkenazy (even though, I still appreciate Ashkenazy for what he did for Rach's symphonic music, especially in Sydney).

[@Plantagenet1956]

I just love that opening, of his fabulous work. I love this work, too.

[@montgomerypowers7205]

I listen to the funeral bells movement on it's own regularly. If the sounds are flavors, that movement is dark chocolate and coffee, rich and smooth and bitter (or maybe bittersweet.) I love it.

[@johns9624]

Thanks for this, David. I've spent decades looking for an ideal 'The Bells' - essentially the Kondrashin (which I've owned from lp days) but in decent sound. Vintage Melodyia says it all about the Kondrashin, breathtaking performance in sonics that'll rip your ears off. Since then I've landed myself with two total duds, the recent Jansons and Pletnev. I'll look for the Rattle. Next is a Symphonic Dances that tallies with the one in my head.

[@edwardcasper5231]

I imprinted on Previn's recording which I also had on LP years ago. Now I have a couple more to check out. Thanks.

[@patrickhows1482]

After watching your video I have just ordered the Rattle version for the equivalent of @ five dollars. Like most people of our generation I got to know the Bells through the Previn recording. I couldn't agree with you more about a concert of the Bells and Belshazzar's Feast. It is a marvellous work, the consolatory string melody at the very end after the despair and horror of the last movement always chokes me up. Whatever one might think of the state of the classical music world in general, at least Rachmaninov is now taken seriously as a major composer, a far cry from Eric Blom's appalling dismissal of Rachmaninov in the 1954 Grove's Dictionary.

[@williamfredscott6904]

What? Not even a mention of Robert Shaw’s recording? I remember the thrill of hearing the Atlanta Symphony chorus in that opening “command” as something amazing. And Telarc captured it. And a young Renee Fleming sang the wedding movement.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It's really boring.

[@Sonus669]

Ashkenazy also has recorded a version with the Czech Philharmonic on (audiophile label) EXTON, release 2002. The samples on JPC sound terrific.

[@brianburke8823]

Your top pick for Rachmaninov's own favorite piece is Simon Rattle?! I had to check my calendar to see if it was April Fool's Day! BTW, I love your Poe recital.

[@johannessauer3758]

Thanks for this recommendation for what to listen tonight 🙂

[@ftumschk]

I didn't even know that the Rattle existed until now but, from what I've already heard, it's fantastic. I've enjoyed Previn's "Bells" for decades, so it was nice to add a more recent recording to the "belfry" :)

[@paulmiller5205]

if you're not tempted by the Rattle/BPO performance, there is a Jansons/BRSO performance that is very well played and excellently recorded on the house label. I've not been impressed with the sound of many Rattle/BPO discs and Jansons is a great Rachmaninoff interpreter, so for some of you this may be a valid option. Haven't heard the Rattle yet (will check it out soon), but frankly am happy with what I've got.

[@mickeytheviewmoo]

Yes, Jansons/BRSO was a live performance I believe. It has a real moody, atmospheric feel. I was surprised Dave didn't mention it. Either favourable or not

[@jwilliams8210]

I saw it (Opus 35) performed live by the Philadelphia Orchestra and Temple University Choir I think (yes, the same Philadelphia Orchestra Rachmaninov recorded with) a few years ago at Verizon Hall. So they are still performing it albeit not very often. BTW, English version starts with "listen" (Fanny Copeland) but the Russian version (Konstantin Belmont) starts with Слышишь "Can you hear" which comes from the verb Слышать (To Hear).

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Not "can you hear," just "Hear!" (imperative). But "listen" works for me.

[@donaldjones5386]

There was a 1954 (mono) by Ormandy, in English. I believe the Russian was translated back into English! Great recording! These days I think you have to pay $250+ to get it in a box, though. This is the only Rachmaninov piece I listen to regularly, and I still love it after 60+ years of listening.

[@jwilliams8210]

@@donaldjones5386 I have a vinyl recording of "The Bells" with Eugene Ormandy conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra with George Shirley as the tenor. I remember George Shirley because he came to speak at a church in my hometown once. It is in English (Fanny Copeland translation). I wonder if it is the same recording you mentioned in your post?

[@mozartmahler61]

Good to hear your review of Rachmaninov ' s Bells! I too think this Is his masterpiece, together with the Symphonic Dances, his last creation . What do you think about them? Best regards from Italy, and many compliments for your reviews!

[@orlandofurioso2034]

I agree, to my great surprise, that Rattle's Bells are the best rendition of this masterpiece. Same with the Symphonic Dances, just stunning (along with Temirkanov's). I think it is one of three ever downloads which I paid for. So happy to be in line with our supreme recordings guru:) I heard the Bells only once live with the Ural Philharmonic. The performance was paired with Rach's Vespers...i wonder whether David can share his thoughts on the recordings of this masterpiece too. I find Polyansky's recording on Vespers unsurpassable, although he did not gain too much laudation from David for his symphonic conducting, which is fair. Still as choir conductor of the liturgic repertoire Polyansky is my favourite one.

[@tonysanderson4031]

Good to have this piece reviewed. I first heard it conducted by Sir John Pritchard in the Royal Festival Hall with the BBCSO as I recall. It was a wonderful discovery. Good to hear you recommend Rattle's version which means you must think it good, judging by your comments of his Mahler recordings. As ftumschk comments, Previn's also good. He was a major influence in bringing Rachmaninov's symphonies into prominence in the UK.

[@HassoBenSoba]

The sound of the chorus is SO extremely important in this repertoire, and there's no way any group is going to match the darkness, weight and "elemental" timbre of Kondrashin's chorus (mid 60's). Alas, all of that has changed, as our world becomes more globalized (not to mention...um...."kinder and gentler" in sound, especially the men), and individual cultures lose their own unique sound. But Kondrashin's recording is unbeatable in that regard..especially in Mvts 2 & 4. But I'm looking forward to hearing Rattle ("SIR" to us mortals), and appreciate your honesty and willingness to acknowledge your general aversion to him on the one hand, then rave about this performance on the other. Clearly, you're able to put aside your bias against the guy and judge the performance on its own merits...which is what we readers depend on. LR

[@davidhollingsworth1847]

That, along with the Three Russian Songs, are amongst my favorites of Rachmaninoff's oeuvre.

[@mw6474]

I once read that Rachmaninov was present at the first performance of Vaughan Williams' (choral) Sea symphony as pianist in his second concerto. Three years later he premiered his own choral symphony, also on an American text. The works sound quite different, of course, but it is perhaps not completely fanciful to find a few echoes of the RVW scherzo in The Bells.

[@carlconnor5173]

Wow! I haven’t listened to The Bells in decades. My “Special Service Collectors Series” LP (Ormandy/PO) coupled with Isle of the Dead has been sitting there, almost forgotten. It is indeed a wonderful work! Yes, Rattle shocked me. I like the coupling more than Isle too. So I’ll be checking it out for sure.

[@marknewkirk4322]

I've always loved The Bells, and I've always loved the Kondrashin recording. But I've always hated the distorted sound that chops of the top of every big moment. I'm playing the Rattle version on a streaming service even as I'm writing this. And I'll buy a CD to put in my car. Thanks so much!

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

What do you think of the Mariss Jansons performance? I have heard good things.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Go with the performances listed.

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

@@DavesClassicalGuide David, thanks for your advice! We should never have walked away from music like this in the first place. Your enthusiasm is catching.

[@issadad]

I could be confused, but did Mariss Jansons' Bavarian Radio Sym release on Berlin Klassik, which didn't make the cut here, receive your #1 rating in an earlier talk?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I don't believe so. I love his Rachmaninoff recordings with Leningrad on EMI and I did mention those, especially the Symphonic Dances.

[@RansomKFern]

I prefer the Ashkenazy/ Concertgebouw "digital bell thing".

[@johnwright7557]

You’ve hit the bull’s eye this time! My favorite Rachmaninov work in my favorite recording! Other than Szymanowski I can’t think of any composer that Rattle does so well. I also appreciate Anissimov, but his soloists pale next to Rattle’s. I recently listened to another performance on the August BBC Music cover disc with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and Chorus /Tadaaki Otaka and Slavic soloists that is also exciting and very well sung and played, but I haven’t had a chance yet to compare it with Rattle. Will do so soon. Unfortunately, it comes with the worst Pictures at an Exhibition I’ve ever heard: Henry Wood’s totally disposable orchestration and conducted by Francois-Xavier Roth, no less! Now there’s a real dog!!

[@allthisuselessbeauty-kr7]

I have say my greatest disappointment in a version of The Bells was the Dutoit Philadelphia on Decca (actually that went for all his Rachmaninov). How do you balls up something when you have the Philadelphia on board?! I have had the Jarvi since it's earliest iteration, where it had as mentioned Vocalise as a coupling, together with interestingly Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Duo (it's not the famous orchestral work) and the same's Festival Coronation March (neither of which IMHO resonate in the memory much but are worth hearing).

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yeah, Dutoit was just a terrible series--totally lackluster.

[@tarakb7606]

Mister Rattle???? It's Sir Simon!!!! (Knighthoods come cheap these days.)

[@mickeytheviewmoo]

Not sure how he got a knighthood, but then Geoff Boycott, Jimmy Savile got one . Maybe that explains it.

[@SvenErik_Lindstrom3]

Thank you for mentioning the Ashkenazy! I guess I just have to do better ;)

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

You don't have to, but you can if you want to!

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

Oh, and I have a performance with Dutoit and the Philadelphia Orchestra. I don't like it.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Neither do I.

[@ernestrobles1510]

“Ears don’t lie”. Another blurb for your T Shirt.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, I was thinking about it!