Rachmaninov:
- Symphonic Dances and ‘The Bells’
This is an exciting new recording of Rachmaninov’s ‘Symphonic Dances’ and ‘The Bells’, performed by one of the world’s most renowned orchestras under their principal conductor Sir Simon Rattle.
Rachmaninov:
- Symphonic Dances, Op. 45
- The Bells, Op. 35
Soloists: Luba Orgonášová (soprano), Dmitro Popov (tenor) and Mikhail Petrenko (bass)
Performed with the Berliner Philharmoniker, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle, with the Rundfunkchor Berlin.
Towards the end of his life, the composer himself said of The Bells “I worked on this composition with feverish ardor; and it remains of all my works the one I love the most”.
Of the Symphonic Dances, written shortly before his death, Rachmaninov said “I don’t know how it happened, it must have been my last spark”.
Conductor Simon Rattle provides an energetic musical performance. His tempos are rapid, and he finds his success in giving the listener a wide range of orchestral color.
The Sunday Times, 1st September 2013, wrote the following:
“[The Bells] was an astonishing first for the orchestra, which is perhaps why it sounds so fresh-minted here…The Symphonic Dances get sonic luxury from the Berliners. It’s hard to imagine the slow movement’s famous alto-sax solo more hauntingly played.”
Here is a video of Rachmaninoff’s ‘The Bells’ with Simon Rattle and the Berliner Philharmoniker:
And next, here is Simon Rattle with Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances:
Tags: Sergei Rachmaninov, The Bells, Symphonic Dances, Berlin Philharmonic, Rattle