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Sergei Rachmaninov
Sergei Rachmaninov is perhaps the arch-Romantic in many people's minds; his stormy piano concertos and yearning slow movements have featured on many a relaxing compilation disc. However, there's much more to him than mere orchestral opulence; a large volume of songs, two major choral works, operas and of course some of the finest solo piano music ever written in the form of his Preludes and Etudes-Tableaux.
Orchestral Works
Rachmaninov's Second Symphony has become one of his most popular works; here Vladimir Ashkenazy leads the Concertgebouw Orchestra in gripping performances of all three, including the notorious No. 1 (whose humiliating failure at its premiere severely dented the young composer's confidence) and other large-scale orchestral works such as the Symphonic Dances.
Available Formats: 3 CDs, MP3, FLAC
The Symphonic Dances are arguably a fourth symphony by any other name; symphonic in scope and conception, and tracing a similarly broad emotional journey to that of the symphonies. The Bells, a choral symphony based on Poe's poem, was long one of Rachmaninov's favourites among his own works. Here Simon Rattle leads the Berliner Philharmoniker in performances that have drawn enormous critical acclaim.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Valeri Polyansky leads the Russian State Symphony Orchestra in a delightful selection of Rachmaninov's less-performed orchestral compositions, including The Isle of the Dead, a tone poem based on Böcklin's painting of the same name, and The Rock, the piano reduction of which notably impressed an elderly Tchaikovsky.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Although it's only really the Second Concerto that has become instantly recognisable (through its use as the turbulent soundtrack to the classic film Brief Encounter), all four deserve to be equally famous. Here Stephen Hough, who has made something of a speciality of Russian repertoire, performs the Concertos and the well-loved Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, accompanied by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra under Andrew Litton.
Available Formats: 2 CDs, MP3, FLAC
Instrumental Works
From the famous Prelude in C sharp minor to the less well-known works that comprise the two sets Op. 23 and Op. 32, Rachmaninov's Preludes amply demonstrate his formidable technique as a pianist-composer; these are works written by someone to whom the piano was second nature, and it's therefore fitting that they should be performed by someone of similar gifts, namely the peerless Steven Osborne.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
A meticulous and endlessly varied account of the two sets of Etudes-Tableaux, which explores the full range of dynamics and moods called for by the composer. Pianist Rustem Hayroudinoff is in his element.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
Nikolai Lugansky, widely regarded as one of the foremost interpreters of Rachmaninov alive today, gives committed and emotionally-charged performances of his two piano sonatas - providing a welcome outing for the rarely-heard No. 1.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
Very much a sonata for cello and piano, rather than merely a cello sonata with piano accompaniment, the Op. 19 has a formidably demanding piano part which at the same time must never be allowed to overwhelm the lyrical voice of the cello. Alexei Grynyuk and the young cellist Leonard Elschenbroich strike the perfect balance in this recording.
Available Formats: MP3, FLAC
A mixed bag of transcriptions, both of his own works and those of other composers as diverse as Bach and Mussorgsky that show Rachmaninov's incredible skill at recreating the sounds of the orchestra at the piano. A particular favourite of mine is the arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner that rounds off the album.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
Choral and Vocal Works
Often hailed as the crowning musical achievement of Russian Orthodox Christianity, Rachmaninov's All-Night Vigil has certainly become a firm favourite among choirs in both East and West. Based on various forms of chant that were in use in Russia at that time, it uses these as the building-blocks of a unique and powerfully Romantic harmonic language. The Latvian Radio Choir under Sigvards Kļava give a performance that is the equal of any by Russian choirs!
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC, Hi-Res FLAC
The earlier of Rachmaninov's two large-scale choral works, the Liturgy is sometimes regarded as just a trial-run for the mighty Vespers. True, the musical language is similar, but it is a compelling work in its own right. This performance by the Flemish Radio Choir, conducted by Kaspars Putninsh, is perhaps not quite as Slavic in its diction as one might desire; but it is nevertheless engaging.
Available Formats: SACD, MP3, FLAC
The famous Vocalise - popularised in innumerable variants for solo instrument and orchestra - was in fact originally a song from Rachmaninov's Op. 34. Here, Iain Burnside accompanies seven native Russian-speakers in a complete set of Rachmaninov's vocal music, which contains some of his most personal and intimate writing.
Available Formats: 3 CDs, MP3, FLAC
Operas
Aleko is sometimes described as Russia's answer to Carmen - the tale of a Russian living among gypsies whose much younger wife takes a new lover, with predictably grim consequences, certainly bears a resemblance to the Iberian passions of Bizet's opera. But Aleko is a smaller affair, at just over an hour long, and perhaps for this reason has never really entered the operatic repertoire. This is a shame, since as this recording with Sergey Murzaev and Svetla Vassileva demonstrates, it's a melodious and captivating work.
Available Formats: CD, MP3, FLAC
A rather sobering story derived from a play by Pushkin, The Miserly Knight tells the story of a profligate son attempting, by various means both above- and below-board, to extract some money from his rich but frugal father. Vladimir Jurowski, at the helm of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, brings an appropriate darkness to the music.
Available Format: DVD Video
David Smith - Head of Digital
