Not a new recording, and one that has already received raves in all the other audiophile publications, but if stereophile is the only such magazine you read, youd just better know about it. Barber earned a pulitzer prize for his piano concerto, performed here by inon barnatan, whom the new york times has called one of the most admired pianists of his generation. Rachmaninoff began work on this piece, his final composition, in the summer of 1940. Although rarely sentimental, it draws on many of the composers reminiscences of russia, from where he emigrated in 1917.
The score calls for two flutes and piccolo, two oboes and english horn, two clarinets. Prologue allegro moderato somewhere adagio scherzo vivace leggiero mambo presto chacha andantino con grazia meeting. The symphonic dances, an orchestral suite in three sections, was the last work rachmaninov completed and proved one of his most popular compositions. The russianborn musician famously refused to allow any recordings or broadcasts of his live performances, and as a. Sergei rachmaninoff composed the symphonic dances as a showpiece for the philadelphia orchestra and their chief conductor eugene ormandy. Symphonic dances from west side story 6 8 6 8 notes on the symphonic dances. The penn libraries and the philadelphia orchestra are coming together for a special evening program on january 31. In the two remaining works of the evening on the other hand sergei rachmaninovs symphonic dances and albert roussels ballet music bacchus et ariane the whole broad colour spectrum of the orchestral sound is revealed.
These symphonic dances were extracted from the score in 1960, by the composer with sid ramin and irwin kostal, and performed for the first time on february, 1961, by the new york philharmonic. Rachmaninoff, dallas symphony orchestra, donald johanos rachmaninoff, dallas symphony orchestra, donald johanos symphonic dances vocalise. Hancock captured a rather dry but clarifying acoustic in mcfarlin auditorium at southern methodist university in may of 1967, and the sonics stop just short of being overly analytical. The score calls for two flutes and piccolo, two oboes and english horn, two clarinets and bass clarinet, alto saxophone, two bassoons and. The bso is joined by arabella steinbacher for korngolds lush violin concerto. Leonard bernstein symphonic dances from west side story. Jan 21, 2012 in the two remaining works of the evening on the other hand sergei rachmaninovs symphonic dances and albert roussels ballet music bacchus et ariane the whole broad colour spectrum of the orchestral sound is revealed. Bernstein, leonard west side story, symphonic dances.
Rachmaninoff, dallas symphony orchestra, donald johanos. Rachmaninoff had left his homeland forever soon after the russian revolution of 1917. Is there a ballet in rachmaninoffs symphonic dances. Rachmaninovs symphonic dances digital concert hall. Oct 16, 2017 spending the remainder of his life in the us, he composed what is perhaps his greatest work in 1940, the symphonic dances.
I personally would have preferred matching ormandyphiladelphias rachmaninoff symphonic dances with something else from the ormandyphiladelphiarachmaninoff catalogue e. The chicago symphony orchestras first subscription concert performances of rachmaninovs. West side story was premiered in washington dc in august 1957 and repeated the following month in new york, where its success ensured a run of almost two years 772 performances and a national tour. Completed in 1940, it is sergei rachmaninoffs last major composition the symphonic dances allowed him to indulge in a nostalgia for the russia he had known, much as he had done in the third symphony, as well as to effectively sum up his lifelong fascination with ecclesiastical chants. Extra information includes quote from principal theme of symphony no. Fiesta musically depicts the pageantry of traditional latin american celebrations street bands, bull fights and bright costumes.
Chandos records is one of the worlds premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. Bernstein symphonic dances from west side story wscore. Andris nelsons leads the concertgebouworkest in rachmaninoffs symphonic dances. Bernstein composed the musical west side story in 1957. Imagine r and vladimir horowitz at the two grands in rachmaninoffs california home, pounding out the dances after dinner. If only old sergei could have had another ten yearsthe dances were like a rebirth of his creativity. Symphonic dances 1st movement, intermediate for piano solo, intermediate piano sheet music. Completed in 1940, it is sergei rachmaninoffs last composition. Rachmaninoff symphonic dances this journey of melodic splendor begins with beethovens playful and spirited first symphony. Dont forget the twopiano transcriptiongreat, thunderous clangor.
West side story opened on broadway in september, 1957 to glorious critical and public acclaim. Bernstein had brought to broadway and to the concert halls. Symphonic dances, vocalise dallas symphony orchestra, donald johanos, cond. Any suggestions on the best rachmaninov symphonic dances. Vocalise now available in hdcd, hrx, and on lp from widely believed to be the finest orchestral recording rr has ever made. Sergei rachmaninoff created a magnificent orchestral sound, dramatic. This is music to stir your blood and excite your imagination on a cold winter day. Completed in 1940, it is sergei rachmaninoff s last major composition the symphonic dances allowed him to indulge in a nostalgia for the russia he had known, much as he had done in the third symphony, as well as to effectively sum up his lifelong fascination with ecclesiastical chants. Grammy nominated 2002 best engineered album classical. Symphonic dances were given at orchestra hall on december 11. In the rest of the piece all 3 dances the sax is absent. This piano version displays rachmaninovs virtuoso keyboard skills and this recording is a razorsharp showstopper. Passionate rhythms and vivid tonal sonorities characterize the master work. Since this work was first published after 1924 with the prescribed notice, it is.
The recording of sergei rachmaninoff playing his symphonic dances is reproduced from the original discs in the eugene ormandy collection of test pressings and private recordings, 19301983, ms. I bought this stereo only sacd in hopes that it would be a block buster recording like several other voxturnabout recordings, for instance the ravel skrowaczewskiminnesota recordings and many rca living stereo sacds. Concert band, symphonic band sheet music book by sergei rachmaninoff 18731943. In symphonic dances from west side story, bernstein employed vibrant instrumental combinations, complex rhythms, and a huge percussion section to create energetic dance numbers that tell both a love story and one of gang conflict. Jan 30, 1994 the symphonic dances were rachmaninoff s last original work and his only one composed entirely in the united states, where he had lived at various times since 1918 and finally settled in 1939. It was, he said, his final flicker and today many regard it as his finest music, perhaps even comprehensive enough to. While rachmaninov never talked about death, it is clear that this is the theme of the symphonic dances. Includes an high quality pdf file to download instantly. The optimistic barber pairs beautifully with the russian romanticism of rachmaninoffs beloved symphonic dances, all under the. The work summarizes rachmaninoffs compositional output, being fully representativ of his later, more mature style, full of shifting harmonies, focus on individual instruments, etc. Symphonic dances is a fitting title in the end, with the three broad movements forming an arc of symphonic dimensions.
Rachmaninoff symphonic dances eiji oueminnesota orchestra on 200g lp from reference recordings 33 rpm, halfspeed mastered, 200g virgin vinyl from quality record pressings. In the middle of symphonic dances there is a beautiful lyric solo for saxophone alto. Notes kirkor edition possibly first published 1954, with plate m. An exciting, dramatic work, and an outstanding concert or contest. Just to confuse things further, rattle made an earlier recording for emi of rachmaninovs symphonic dances with the cbso, a much leaner, less plush performance than this. This recording has been an audiophile favorite for decades. The programme on this disc includes rachmaninovs last work, the symphonic dances 1941 as well as the rock, his first published orchestral work, but opens with the isle of the dead from 1909. Spending the remainder of his life in the us, he composed what is perhaps his greatest work in 1940, the symphonic dances. Leonard bernstein 19181990, composed in 1960, based on the musical. Nec philharmonia, conducted by hugh wolff, performs leonard bernsteins symphonic dances from west side story as a part of our season of. Similarly, in the symphonic dances, the opening non allegro never drags, and the big tune features a particularly soulful saxophone solo. Rachmaninov wrote a two piano version of symphonic dances at the same time that he was orchestrating it. The third movement quotes the alliuiya from the vespers, op. From the saintebernadette church at annecy classic festival 20 saintpetersburg philharmonic orchestra yuri temirkanov conductor.
The symphonic dances were rachmaninoffs last original work and his only one composed entirely in the united states, where he had lived at. Rachmaninoff created a magnificent orchestral sound, dramatic contrasts and occasionally daring combinations of timbr. The five etudestableaux were orchestrated by ottorino respighi from the brilliant originals for piano. Vocalise dallas symphony orchestra, david johanos, donald johanos on allmusic 1991. Since fleeing russia during the bolshevik revolution in late 1917 for refuge in western europe and america, he had managed to create only five substantial works, including his popular keyboard masterpiece rhapsody on a theme of paganini. The score calls for two flutes and piccolo, two oboes. It is characteristically lyrical with vivacious rhythmic sections, reminiscent of stravinskys rite of spring and the. The symphonic dances were rachmaninovs last completed orchestral work, and did not find much favour for the early part of their life, but have gradually come into their own thanks to the advocacy of conductors like ormandy, temirkanov and jansons to name but a few powerful interpreters of these wonderful pieces.
Imagine r and vladimir horowitz at the two grands in rachmaninoff s california home, pounding out the dances after dinner. Order from your preferred classical music cd store. Rachmaninoffs symphonic dances and its premiere by the. Roussel proves to be a composer who combines gorgeous impressionistic sophistication with unbridled temperament and. In 1960, bernstein drew from it an orchestral suite of symphonic dances which follows the principal episodes of the drama. The work summarizes rachmaninoffs compositional output, being fully representativ of his later, more mature style, full of shifting harmonies, focus on. The central waltz has the right rhythmic lilt without losing its spooky atmospherics, and in the finale the central lento never sounds as though an episode from another work has accidentally wandered in. Piano sheet music book by sergei rachmaninoff 18731943. The 1992 recording of the symphonic dances by charles dutoit and the philadelphia orchestra is as fine as any i know, and you also get an excellent performance of the symphony no. It became a major artistic landmark and proof of a new kind of operatic synthesis that fused complex vocal and instrumental ensembles, ballet.
There is no overt program behind the symphonic dances, although there are hints of a backstory in rachmaninoffs working title of fantastic dances and an abandoned plan to label the movements noon, twilight and midnight. Rachmaninoff created a magnificent orchestral sound, dramatic contrasts and occasionally daring combinations of timbres. The new york world telegram reported that the work revealed what new strength and vitality mr. We and our partners use cookies to personalize your experience, to show you ads based on your interests, and for measurement and analytics purposes. Youll get the bonus of suites opus 5 and 17 in addition to the symphonic dances.
The event will explore the only known recording of composer and pianist sergei rachmaninoff playing his last major orchestral work, symphonic dances. The premiere, at which eugene ormandy conducted the philadelphia orchestra, took place on january 3, 1941. Rachmaninov wrote no more music after his symphonic dances. Print and download in pdf or midi symfonische dansen. Not a new recording, and one that has already received raves in all the other audiophile publications, but if stereophile is the only such magazine you read, youd just better know. Find upcoming concerts, watch performances, and learn more about the music. The bbc work page for symphonic dances by sergey rachmaninov. Symphonic dances classical music album play streams in full or download mp3 from classical archives, the largest and. Symphonic dances sergei rachmaninoff by 1940, sergei rachmaninoff, then 67 and in failing health, believed his composing career was over. Vocalise is one of the great classical melodies, and is hummable by everyone.
If you like his rachmaninov symphonies, you will like it. From the saintebernadette church at annecy classic festival 20 saint petersburg philharmonic orchestra yuri temirkanov conductor. The first performance was given on january 3, 1941, in philadelphia. Score bernstein, leonard west side story, symphonic dances score and parts. May 18, 2014 the bbc work page for symphonic dances by sergey rachmaninov.
1681 940 785 736 871 286 1292 131 1070 842 250 338 107 1456 1576 298 1443 414 1501 488 1245 466 609 684 475 269 1374 1079 532