Disc 1:
Rachmaninov: Symphony N°1 in D minor Op.13
Rachmaninov: Caprice Bohemien Op.12
Rachmaninov: Scherzo in D minor
Disc 2:
Rachmaninov: Symphony N°2 in E minor Op. 27
Rachmaninov: Fantasy “The Rock” Op.7
Disc 3:
Rachmaninov: Symphony n°3 in A minor Op. 44
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Poem “The Isle of the Dead” Op. 29
Disc 4:
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Danses Op. 45
Rachmaninov: Symphonic Poem “Prince Rostislav”
Rachmaninov: Vocalise Op.34
State Symphony Orchestra of Russian Federation
Evgeny Svetlanov, conductor
Recording date: 2-7 October 1995
Location: The 5th studio of Moscow Radio
Label: ℗ 1996 Pony Canyon Inc. © 2013 Octavia Records Inc., Japan
ASIN: B0051HCJTM
Rachmaninov’s music always stood at the forefront of Evgeny Svetlanov’s artistic interests. The discovery of Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances in the 1940s marked the beginning of a lifelong devotion to the composer’s music.
Upon graduating from the Gnessin Institute with degrees in choral conducting and piano, Svetlanov performed the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, earning the admiration of Heinrich Neuhaus — in whose class he would later study at the Moscow Conservatory.
Rachmaninov’s Symphony No. 2 was included in Svetlanov’s conservatory graduation program as a conductor. In 1973, he led a grand concert in the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory dedicated to the composer’s centenary. In his final appearance in London, in April 2002, Svetlanov included The Bells in the program.