Rach symphony's

[c18cont]

Many people, as evidenced just by this forum, enjoy and play Rachmaninov piano works.

If you have heard a symphony, how did you feel about it, In particular the 3rd, as it has often been called unsuccessful, or a downright failure...Yet the First is often touted as his best.

In recent years musicologists and other listeners often find the third more "mature" and "developed"in particular regarding technical considerations...(Most of this paraphrased from Malcolm Rayment and other critics)....even though the first is so often heard...

Just Curious. John Cont

[Nightscape]

I thought the 2nd was the most heard.

I think his symphonies are his weakest orchestral works.  His concertos, and The Isle of The Dead have more depth and originality, I think.

[Rach3]

And yet neither of you bother to mention the op. 45 symphonic dances? Perhaps his greatest work of all?

-Rach3

[Nightscape]

Whoops... you're right Rach3 I forgot to mention those (must have slipped my mind).

[c18cont]

In fact,

I believe other than the last several years you will find the 1st to be the most played....BUT all you have said in regard to other works is true and reasonable.

I am however, a strong believer in the 3rd symphony..It is a difficult and more mature work than earlier orchestral material..It came some 30 years after the second after all..

It certainly shows a powerful technique, as attested to by many critics...I think it is neglected to some extent...I have it by L'Orchestre...(whatever) must be de la??..Suisse Romande and it is very keen indeed...I guess I could go and get it and look,,,...

Yes ..as I said de la Suisse Romande..(Can you guys ever remember that )?

I am struck, as some others surely are, by the second movement...The Adagio ma non troppo...It has a special feel of modernism as well as romanticism in my opinion..

Never fear, I am not neglecting his stronger Sym. Dances...I was just wondering about how some others of you felt about  the 3rd...as it is not well received as his other works.

Thanks for your answers!!!,...John Cont

[Dazzer]

And yet neither of you bother to mention the op. 45 symphonic dances? Perhaps his greatest work of all?

-Rach3

i love symphonic dances... but i've only heard the duo transcription, which still rocks. and i wanna play it!!! rawh!!!

[hodi]

hear the 4th movement of the 1st symphony.. the opening is awesome! so energetic.. probably the most "Trance" classical music i have ever heard

[c18cont]

No Doubt, Many find it awesome...The first is well regarded...I really like it as well....I simply got the three when I was young, and updated as format changed...(I have been around for a long time ...I started out with 33 1/3 mono recordings!!!....On a little table -top phono...set up right by my piano.!!!!!!!!

I will confess at this point...Never enjoyed playing Rach...too "frenetic" at times even though Scriabin is probably more so...I really enjoy listening...However I am a real fan of the harmonic content, and try to emulate some on the things I write...

John Cont

[daral]

I've got an awesome recording of the 2nd symphony which I'm listening to right now.    It's wonderful, and I love it.

[Tash]

yeah i love his 2nd symphony. i may have his third around here somewhere...and the symphonic dances are super, and the isle of the dead LOVE that piece! i love rachmaninov's orchestral works, i'd like to get a hold of one of his operas and see what it's like

[vera]

All of his symphonies are wonderful, the third one must have been fairly modern for his time, it seems more "condensed" than the others, the 2nd one the most romantic perhaps, and the first one was long neglected. Do not forget "the Bells" a work for orchestra and choir/solosingers. That still is little heard, perhaps because of the cost of performing it. It may be one of his master-pieces. It is based on the poem by E.A Poe.