Repertoire: The BEST Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances

Rachmaninov's fans know that the Symphonic Dances is his best kept secret. Even though it has been recorded many times, it's still not too frequently performed in concert or discussed among music lovers generally. Let's change that.

[@MichaelJStewart]

Absolutely agree about the tam-tam. This is Rachmaninov’s last utterance and it’s packed full of Rachmaninov looking back over his life and compositions. The scintillating transformation from minor key to major key in the first movement of the tune from the First Symphony (which of course no one had heard apart from those present at the first performance of the First Symphony back when Rachmaninov was 19) is spell-binding. Only he knew the secret reference to that tune at the time of the publication of the Symphonic Dances. Letting the tam-tam ring out is the thread between this life and the afterlife.

[@eriknewland3686]

6:15 finally someone's talking about these recordings!!! This recording of Symphonic Dances is my personal favorite, and in general I feel like it isn't talked about nearly enough. What really stands out from other recordings for me is Svetlanov's musical attention to detail. Slows are slower, fasts are more vivacious, and above all, Svetlanov's use of dynamics and phrasing are so much more intricate than any other recording I've heard. Every single short phrase tells an important story. His sense of space and direction on both small and large scales that's on display in this recording is simply unmatched by other interpretations of the work that I've heard. Furthermore, this is one of saxophonist Lev Mikhailov's last recordings, and his interpretation of the alto saxophone solo is by far my favorite. The way the dynamics in Mikhailov's solo match those of the strings when they play the same theme is an example of really effective musical planning. I'm a saxophonist myself, and in my performances of this piece I try to emulate Mikhailov's musicality. Svetlanov's mastery over the phrasing of Rachmaninov's orchestral writing is prevalent throughout this whole set of recordings. The interpretations of Symphony 2, 3, and Isle of the Dead in this set are also massive standouts for me.h

[@finlybenyunes8385]

One of my favourite musical masterpieces! Janssons/St.Petersburg P.O. my preferred version...

[@michaelhughes1504]

Neeme Jarvi / Philharmonia / Chandos. Absolutely spectacular and furiously exciting performance. And the final tam-tam thunders on for at least 30 seconds after the orchestra releases!

[@ddiachen]

Completely agree!!

[@jwilliams8210]

Agreed: Simon Rattle's treatment of SVR's Op 45 is the best performance of that piece I've ever heard. No question IMHO.

[@TheRealGnolti]

My favorite orchestral work by Rachmaninoff, bar none.

[@LyleFrancisDelp]

After viewing this video, I listened to Slatkin/StLSO. I hadn't listened to the piece in so long, it felt new to me, and WOW! did Slatkin really lay into it. Every detail was there, played with perfection. Special mention should go to principal trumpet, Susan Slaughter, who, IMO, never received the full credit she so richly deserves. The trumpeting on this recording is as good as ANY I've ever heard on record, and better than most. Now, I suppose I'll have to hear Slatkin's Detroit account. Good thing I have an account with the Naxos Music Library.

[@lucbenac9756]

Such a plethora of great recordings and all with excellent sound quality. I have Jansons (Leningrad), Slatkin (Detroit), Petrenko (Avie), Svletlanov (Moscow 1996) and Oue/Minnesota and I could not choose one over the others as my definitive best version. It is also terribly nice not to have to choose between great interpretation and great sound...we have both on all these recordings! But I also have to say that Jansons at CAD20 download of the symphonies and the usual tone poems is a great value of most excellent works...

[@frgraybean]

Let that tam-tam go! I agree! I'm always let down when they don't let it ring! Thrilling!!!

[@benjaminepstein5856]

Yup. I've been to two live performances, one with Gergiev and the Mariinsky and the other with Ludovico Morlot conducting the NY Philharmonic. In the former, they slowed down in the final movement, which is a punch in the gut as the music really demands a sense of urgency. The tamtam was also not memorable. In the latter, he also slowed down in the last dance and went further by subbing the tamtam for a cymbal! Anemic doesn't begin to describe it.

[@olegroslak852]

The list of worst conductors ever would make a great next video. Also, best conductors.

[@RModillo]

There is a private recording of Rachmaninov playing this on the piano for Ormandy. If you ever wondered about the style, that is hard to beat as a source.

[@kend.6797]

My sleeper is the Eiji Oue/Minnesota recording on Reference. This is one of their very few, memorable, true success stories together. Interpretatively this thing is spot on, and the sound is glorious. Perhaps a bit too much echo at times? But very clear sound with a wonderful rachmaninoffian (!) Glow, and a piano that really stands put. They let the tam-tam go on this one, although I am in the camp that a half-way vibrate is the way to go. I also like the Previn/LSO and my Ashkenazy/RCO is higher on my list than yours, although I admit it's a bit fast. The concertgebouw sounds makes up for that though.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Fair enough! I like Oue too--it could easily have made the list.

[@curseofmillhaven1057]

Ashkenazy RCO all the way for me!

[@classicaloracle]

@@DavesClassicalGuide It is the best in my opinion and so well recorded. A real sense of the performance space. The chosen tempo for the 1st movement really allows the rhythmic impact of the music to come through, helped by excellent bass weight and great brass phrasing and timbre. Petrenko for me is too fast here. Rachmaninov qualifies his Allegro with Moderato and Oue seems to get that.

[@jacquesracine9571]

@@DavesClassicalGuide I will be playing the triangle in a concert here in Montréal in a few weeks. First experience playing live music. I have used the Oue version as a reference (have had this version since it came out...)

[@MisterPathetique]

I also love the Oue performance, but honestly the sonics is the only thing that I find somewhat off-putting. I think there's too much room sound, too much reverberation, and you loose some of the detail as a result. And I love to hear the gnarly sounds of this piece in great detail. Quite frustrating because the performance itself is really terrific.

[@mike-williams]

Symphonic Dances is in my top 10 of all music, and to me has all sorts of resonances with the Janacek Sinfonietta. I would be interested in hearing your review of the 2 piano version.

[@barryguerrero7652]

Ditto!! Slatkin/Detroit is my #1 pick as well. Rattle/B.P.O. is surprisingly good. Then again, he did a good one in L.A. that never made it to CD - somewhere around 1981. Petrenko is solid too. If I ever taught a class in orchestration, Rach's "Symphonic Dances" would definitely be listed in the syllabus. One day teaching the first two movements, and one day on the finale alone.

[@edwardbak4459]

I studied with Vitya Vronsky who played Rachmaninoff FOR Rachmaninoff. We discussed the suites for two pianos, and she let me know her opinion that the Symphonic Dances were greater than either of the Suites.

[@lawrencechalmers5432]

My imprint recordings were both by DeWaart, an early one on Decca and a remake on Exton, preferring the older one by an edge. Then Kondrashin (I like the piano sound on this). I love them all. Until you recommended the Slatkin. Oh my, THANK YOU for alerting me to this. It is my favorite of them all and my preferred tam tam at the end. I am curious about the Oue recording...

[@paulocordaro8748]

Looking forward to your video on Rachmaninoff 1, mainly because the tam-tam parts at the very end!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I've played it a couple of times--great fun.

[@neilford99]

The Mackerras recording is on Qobuz incase folks were looking for it. I didn't know he'd recorded it. Thanks for the tip.

[@daviddavenport9350]

I am wondering if American musical influence was part of the Symphonic Dances modernism...? I love the Symphonic Dances....R's best composition!

[@denishinds3777]

Totally agree with your Tam Tam Symphonic Dances opinion. Just let it reverberate and fade off into the distance and let the bloody recording companies keep the tape running!

[@shawnhampton8503]

Still a big fan of Donal Johanos and The Dallas Symphony. Just a bang on great performance.

[@jgesselberty]

This was my introduction to the work and I have heard few that equal it.

[@episodesglow]

@@jgesselbertyThe performance is rather flat and never catches fire compared to many of the ones that Dave mentioned or others in the comments.

[@joewebb1983]

Some great recommendations there, particularly Mackerras' rarity - his recording of the 3rd Symphony on the same CD is very good indeed, one of the best 1st movements I've ever heard. Surprised, like others, to not see Temirkanov mentioned, he does wonders with the last movement.

[@jeremybalchin6872]

I have the Penguin Guide that reviews Mackerras's EMI Eminence 1989 recording when it was first released. It's the 1990 supplement to their 1988 edition. They awarded it a paltry one star. That was the last Penguin guide I bought. Ever since I've relied on my ears to judge a performance. You're right David, it and the 3rd Symphony coupling are great performances. Expansive yes, maybe a little slow but never the ponderous version the Penguin authors suggest.

[@dmntuba]

The VOX Box is one of my favorites 👍

[@davidkessel1832]

I have quite a few of these recordings and agree that Slatkim and Petrenko do it best.

[@richardegarr1441]

Great!... I assume you have the amazing Marston release of Rachmaninov playing most of it?!?🎹🍸

[@jacklong2286]

It is time for me to update my recordings of the Symphonic Dances. My go to recording was Maazel & the Berlin Philharmonic. Because of your recommendations I went ahead and downloaded both the Petrenko & the new Slatkin. How can Petrenko give such a passionate performance of these Symphonic Dances while being so detached in Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade?

[@2906nico]

Interesting choices. I am going to have to get at least two of them, I think. I have the Ashkenazy, as part of the symphony cycle, which I think is retty much unbeatable (although Previn's LSO Second is a must have). I really like the performances which end with a tam tam wham.

[@giacomofirpo2477]

Yes you have reason: a conductor must let vibrate the tam-tam in the end...oh no Simon Rattle isn't so bad...I like much him as conductor...yes he's not always convincing but he made many good things, among others that magnificent Rachmaninov performance. Anyway I like also the Symphonic Dances with Andrew Davis and the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic...give it a try...best regards and thank you for the video

[@JohnMartin-ux2rm]

Dear Dave, In the final few minites of the work the snare drum is heard followed by ,what always sounds to me, like,an awkward change of rhythm that is never quite resolved.( i`am sure thats not the correct term but you know what I mean} Some conductors tend to race on while Svetlanov slows it right down and tries to put the pieces together as best he can. Is it just me or is this a real issue ?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I wouldn't call it an issue as opposed to an interpretive choice. The moment in question is new music--actually a transcription of a bit from Rachmaninoff's Vespers--and so it encourages conductors to "do" something. Sometimes they speed up, sometimes they slow down, but it's clearly a new section so a little emphasis one way or the other certainly isn't out of line.

[@nickhamshaw1234]

Dave. I have a 1986 Svetlanov - which is excellent. Is there a later performance or is the one you recommended here the 1986 performance? Thanks.

[@oskarapeta2895]

One of the most insanely menacing and intensive interpretations is this recorded under Nicolai Golovanov. It is, as far as I know, also a world premiere recording. Comparing to Golovanov other Russians, Kondrashin and Svetlanov included, sounds nice and polite. It is a pity that the sound quality is so bad.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Sadly, that is usually the case with Golovanov. As you say, his Rachmaninov was insane.

[@oskarapeta2895]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Even his Mozart was insane! And that is something that is rather hard to achieve.

[@janventer2892]

I attended a performance of Rachmaninov Symphonic Dances with thee Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra about 6 years ago.... After the performance, I went to the conductor and asked.... Did you not notice something missing? No was the reply..... I said where were the bells? OMG was his comment.... I didnt even notice, how was that for clueless!!!!!!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Happens all the time.

[@daviddavenport9350]

I rather like letting the tam tam ring all the way through....

[@saltyfellow]

Hi David! Do you advice listen to orchestral music following the score? Or sometimes following... and sometimes closing your eyes to find all the internal voices? Do you underline the strong melodies in the score with a yellow marker? Do you read scores without playing the CD? If you know a great book about reading orchestral scores I am starving for it...! Thank you so much

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I do not advise following a score unless you want to. It's hardly necessary. No composer expected it.

[@denishinds3777]

Dave, Any chance of a Best & (possibly) Worst versions of Rachmaninov's Symphonic Poem 'The Isle of the Dead' Op. 29? It's 19-20 minutes of great romantic moody doom with the Dies Irae thrown in. It usually gets sidelined as a filler to one of his Symphonies or a Piano Concerto or part of a Complete Cycle Box Set. I'm sure you know some very good & bad ones. Thank you in anticipation.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I'd like to do it, but the idea of listening to a dozen or more in a row to make the comparisons is, well, a bit daunting.

[@denishinds3777]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Oh, but you're up to it. May I suggest a 'Dark Horse' of Lorin Maazel and the Berlin Phil on DG & avoid the slick, matter of fact version by Pletnev & Russian NO also on DG. An Isle of the Dead on Mogadon!

[@jonobester5817]

I was hoping you were going to talk about the two piano version which I heard first and actually like better, I think. I later played it in the back of the 2nd's and got my left ear stunned with one crack of the tambourine during the loudest part. Which came first? What do you think is the best two piano version? Is there a story here?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

The orchestral version is the original (and vastly superior) option.

[@jonobester5817]

@@DavesClassicalGuide thanks, Dave. I really like some of the piano sections. There aren't many recordings of it.

[@donaldallen1771]

Last note: I say do what Rachmaninoff wrote -- dotted quarter in the tam-tam.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Yes, but you are ignoring the "Laissez vibrer" ("let it vibrate") indication over the last three bars, taking in the one you mention as well. Admittedly, it's ambiguous, but the tam-tam overhang is plainly the more logical given both the context and the actual notation.

[@donaldallen1771]

@@DavesClassicalGuide The "Laissez vibrer" is in the third-from-the-last measure in the First Edition with no indication that it extends over the three bars. Furthermore, he writes a dotted quarter rest at the beginning of the second-to-last and last measure, so if his intention was to have the tam-tam sounding throughout those measures, why the rests? Lastly, this piece was written for Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Rachmaninoff played the piece on the piano for Ormandy and clearly worked with him on it (note the similarity of Rachmaninoff's tempo at the beginning -- in the recording we now have, thankfully -- and Ormandy's tempo in the 1960 recording). It's likely that Ormandy knew what Rachmaninoff's wishes were about the ending and he cuts off the tam-tam at the end, rather than allowing it to sound beyond the time-duration of the last measure. I also completely disagree with you about the Ormandy recording. I think it's fantastic. I do agree with you about the rhythmic aspects of this piece -- it needs to be right on the money and emphatic in the obvious places. The percussion, especially the tympani, really need to be explosive (e.g., four bars after rehearsal '1' in the first movement, where the dynamic is FF) which they are not in too many performances. All of this is there in the Ormandy performance, and of course the orchestra is fabulous. While I'm voicing my disagreement here on this particular issue, overall I really enjoy what you do.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@donaldallen1771 All of that is perfectly reasonable, but I think your analysis of what happens in the closing bars is completely incorrect nonetheless. As for Ormandy knowing what R wanted, he routinely modified scores according to his own tastes, and we know that R didn't especially care for Ormandy's performance. Ultimately, it's a question of taste, of course. The notation is simply ambiguous and you can make a good case either way.

[@denbigh51]

I need a new recording of this - Ormandy has a very disappointing saxophone and Litton, my other recording, does something odd with the important rhythmic figure in the first movement. So I will try Petrenko.

[@basilpeewit3350]

I keep returning to Jansons & St Petersburg. For me it has this slight edge over even Petrenko (which I bought some time ago on Dave's recommendation).

[@michaelhartman8724]

I can't seem to find the Svetlanov for purchase--checked all the usual cd outlets; anybody have suggestions?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It's available from HMV Japan here: www.hmv.co.jp/en/artist_Rachmaninov-1873-1943_000000000021245/item_Complete-Symphonies-Symphonic-Dances-etc-Svetlanov-Russian-State-Symphony-Orchestra-1995-4CD_5410247 However, they are not shipping to the USA at present.

[@michaelhartman8724]

@@DavesClassicalGuide As of 12:30 A.M. central time on 6/5/2020, this set has magically appeared on U.S. Amazon. Maybe you could consider one of your presentations to try to comment on what's available in corporate "logic" on what's available in the U.S and why. On a different subject, I'm curious as to where do you stand on the audiophile spectrum with audio hardware? Some of us are satisfied with listening through a paper cup and a string, others through obscenely priced monster sound systems. I continue to love your videos.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@michaelhartman8724 Oh my, the market is in such chaos now that I have no clue why things come and go or who makes these decisions. As to audio, I am not an audiophile. I need to be able to hear what I know I should hear, with decent clarity and impact. I used to play everything at high volume and I have a sensational pair of custom built speakers for the purpose and very good equipment, but I live in an apartment and have to be considerate--and I generally dislike headphones (although I love the new sound-cancelling earpods), so I need to be reasonable. I like to think I'm in the same situation as many, if not most, of my readers. Audiophiles are in a world until themselves.

[@michaelhartman8724]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Fascinating!

[@davidmckee9676]

I imprinted on the Previn, which always spoiled for performances that don't let the final tam-tam stroke sound to its full value ... but I'll admit Slatkin/Detroit goes Previn one better.

[@neilhunt5644]

How about LPO/Jurowski?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

www.classicstoday.com/review/review-13711/?search=1

[@chrishaines1677]

Out of curiosity why not the Ormandy?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Because it's not very good.

[@gonzostick]

Sorry, but no mention of Ormandy and Philadelphia Orchestra?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Nope. It's not very good.

[@gonzostick]

Thanks. My friend and teacher, David Raksin, from Hollywood, got a phone call from Rachmaninoff, during the composition of the "Symphonic Dances" where Rachmaninoff asked about what instrument to use for the solo in the the middle of the first movement. Rachmaninoff had been directed to David by Igor Stravinsky, with whom he worked, doing the instrumentation of "Circus Polka". David, who had been a virtuoso saxophone player since his early teens, told Rachmaninoff, "ALTO SAXOPHONE". Rachmaninoff followed his advice.

[@mikakangasaho1236]

At the moment I am listening to Russian National / Pletnev DG - (accompanied with Symp. No. 3). Have to say that rhythmic pulse is somehow grand and powerless at the same time. Maybe too much beauty on surface with most of the corners soft-edged. Not very trad. Russian sound to be a hard core Russian orchestra - or we might say: Orchestra of Post-Soviet Era to be exact. Ashkenazy and Concertgebouw still rules!