RACHMANINOV - JANSONS

One of the great Rachmaninov recordings ever made, these accounts of the Third Symphony and Symphonic Dances by Mariss Jansons and the St. Petersburg Philharmonic recall the heady days of Mravinsky and the (then-named) Leningraders at their finest–only in top-quality sound. The whiplash strings in the second movement of the Symphonic Dances, hair-trigger discipline in the same work's outer movements, and the razor-sharp modernity that Jansons brings to the Third Symphony all combine to make this reissue irresistible. There are too many memorable moments to list here, but the central section of the Third Symphony's slow movement, full of mordant wit, and the rhythmically thrilling ending of the Symphonic Dances come immediately to mind. If you missed this issue the first time, don't let it pass by again. It belongs in every serious record collection. [5/7/2004]

Mariss Jansons doesn't quite let it all hang out in the coda of the finale the way that Ashkenazy does in his remarkable Concertgebouw recording of the First symphony for Decca, but otherwise I have nothing but praise for this taut, exciting rendition of this underrated work. Both here and in The Isle of the Dead, Jansons manages to conjure an appropriately twilit atmosphere, effectively capturing the sense of unease below the surface (and on top!) while also maintaining the music's sense of flow and intensity. In the symphony's outer movements–and especially the development section of the first movement, which Jansons whips up to a fine climax–his razor-sharp treatment of rhythm produces extremely memorable results. Of course, it helps to have the St. Petersburg Philharmonic, whose dark string sonority is enlivened with plenty of punch from the brass. Good, clean sonics with excellent dynamic range and just balances give the music added impact and realism. Don't hesitate. Jansons' entire Rachmaninov symphony cycle with these forces stands with the best, and at this price it's a steal. [6/16/2005]