Latest news with #Rachmaninov
Telegraph
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Telegraph
Classical music shouldn't just comfort – it should challenge, too
Today, all too often, classical music is used like aural wallpaper or a warm bath – whether by radio stations or by film and television producers. As a result, pieces that do not fit into that category are increasingly neglected, sought out only by that shrinking minority with serious intellectual curiosity. Mention Rachmaninov, for example, and most people think only of the piano concertos, the Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, the Vespers and, perhaps, the Second Symphony. Yet a new recording from Chandos of his First Symphony, performed by the Sinfonia of London under the baton of John Wilson, reminds us of the utter genius of this too little known work; a piece we very nearly did not have at all. Rachmaninov is, in many ways, the musical heir to Tchaikovsky, whom he idolised. After his hero died in 1893, when Rachmaninov was just 20, he started to struggle with composition for the first time. But in January 1895, inspired by chants he had heard in a Russian Orthodox church service, he began to write his First Symphony. His fluency returned, and by the following September he had completed it. He waited anxiously for the premiere, which eventually took place in St Petersburg in March 1897. It was a catastrophe. Much of the blame for this went to Glazunov, who conducted it. He under-rehearsed the orchestra in an unfamiliar work situated for the most part in a sound-world new to them and their audience. Despite its homage to Tchaikovsky and its use of conventional symphonic form, the piece was unquestionably progressive in the context of its times. Also, Glazunov was an alcoholic and, according to the testimony of Rachmaninov's wife, was drunk at the premiere. An elderly and reactionary critic felt it was a depiction of the Ten Plagues of Egypt. Perhaps worst of all, the composer himself was disappointed, unable in his despair to distinguish between the pitiful performance Glazunov had elicited from his orchestra and the unvoiced genius of the work. Rachmaninov sank into despair, and a few months later had what would probably now be termed a nervous breakdown. Until 1900, he found it impossible to compose anything more. Miraculously, he did not throw the score into the fire, or, as he threatened he would do, tear it up; he is even said in around 1908 to have considered revising it, following the successful reception of his Second Symphony, but did not. However, when he left Russia in 1917, he did not bother to take his First Symphony score with him, telling a friend that he would never again let anyone see, let alone hear it – and for decades the symphony simply disappeared. The manuscript itself literally vanished, never to be seen again. Rachmaninov had locked it in a desk in his flat in Moscow. The key passed into the care of his ex-housekeeper, who enabled the movement of his manuscripts to a museum in Moscow: but this one was not among them. By a stroke of luck, in 1944, the year after his death and at the end of the siege of what had become Leningrad, the orchestral parts from the only performance were rediscovered in the library of that city's conservatoire. Under the direction of Gauk, a leading Russian conductor, scholars reassembled the work: and in October 1945, 48 years after its debut, the First Symphony had its second performance. The ignorance of the first critics was instantly apparent and the symphony was soon being performed all over the world, not simply because of the huge fame Rachmaninov had secured by that time, but because it was realised what an inherently great work it was. It remains in the repertoire and Wilson's indispensable recording is but the latest by many great conductors, including Ashkenazy, Ormandy and Previn. Inevitably, like almost all of the composer's music, it has found itself cannibalised by television: readers of a certain age will recognise in the commanding martial theme that opens the finale (and which Wilson has his orchestra play with particular force) the music that, in the 1960s, used to open the BBC's Panorama. Wilson's new recording is wanting in nothing, and for those who do not know this outstanding symphony, presents the perfect opportunity to become acquainted with it.
Times
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
RLPO/Hindoyan review — an orchestra and conductor in their element
Piercing audience whooping-up was much in evidence as the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic ended this riotous Barbican concert, the last stop in its spring tour of England and Ireland. And I fully understood why. The wind section alone of the RLPO, so immaculately tailored, so pungently coloured, must be the best in all of the UK's top orchestras. Its players were at their finest in the second chunk of the first of Rachmaninov's Symphonic Dances, the chunk centred on that suavely heart-tugging alto saxophone solo (thank you, Carl Raven).Another good reason for the whoops was the Venezuelan Domingo Hindoyan, described by a passing audience member as 'a total dude' and now comfortably in his fourth year as the orchestra's chief conductor. He's clearly in his
The Herald Scotland
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Review: RSNO conductor Nodoka Okisawa's Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
Swedish trumpeter Hakan Hardenberger has single-handedly increased the catalogue of concertos for his instrument beyond measure with his orchestral commissions, and the RSNO built this concert around the Scottish premiere of one of the latest, by Helen Grime. It is neither a completely new work – the LSO first played it three years ago and there have been other performances in Europe – nor an especially virtuosic one, and the RSNO's programme was a mixed success in giving it a context. Its closest kin in the programme was Toru Takemitsu's gorgeous How Slow the Wind, but that was written for a much smaller orchestra, and first performed by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in 1991. The Japanese composer's distinctive response to nature, with the crucial addition of orchestral piano and celeste to the sonic palette, is also more compact and to the point. Read more by Keith Bruce: Review: A composer whose remarkable works are very much his own RSNO Hahn review: An odd programme on paper, delivered with remarkable eloquence Grime's Trumpet Concerto: night-sky-blue is inspired by gardens after sunset and most affecting in the muted passages for the soloist at its opening and closing. Percussion, harp, high-pitched winds and the orchestra's trumpet section provide the initial support, while vibraphone and glissando strings add crucial colours at the end. As conductor Nodoka Okisawa appeared to appreciate, it seems to be aspiring to be more lyrical than the orchestra actually sounds during the central parts, while the music for Hardenberger himself recalls both Baroque predecessors and brass band music. The Stokowski arrangement of Debussy's Claire de lune, which opened the second half, also featured Principal Percussionist Simon Lowdon's sparkling vibes playing, alongside the more obvious combination of Katherine Bryan's flute and Pippa Tunnell on harp. The concert had begun on familiar ground with Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture and it ended in the darker territory of Rachmaninov's Isle of the Dead, which share some structural similarities but could have both benefitted from a less austere approach than that taken by Okisawa. The Tchaikovsky received a very measured, almost rigid, reading, with even the big string climax far from lush, although it was redeemed by the closing bars. Her Rachmaninov was perhaps more organic, and the Dies Irae theme that haunts the composer's works beautifully realised, but the work never really felt as ominous as it should.
Irish Independent
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 tops Classic FM poll for third year
The music topped the annual Classic FM Hall Of Fame poll with 90,000 votes cast by the public, crowning one of Rachmaninov's pieces as the nation's favourite. The Russian-born composer finished his classic concerto in 1901, after he overcame depression, and dedicated the piece to his doctor, Nikolai Dahl, who helped him through that period of his life. Meanwhile, at number two is Welsh composer, Sir Karl Jenkins, with The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace marking his highest ranking in the chart. The song was originally dedicated to victims of the war in Kosovo, with Jenkins taking this as an opportunity to highlight ongoing conflicts around the world. Jenkins said: 'I'm honoured and humbled that The Armed Man has reached its highest ever position in the Classic FM Hall Of Fame 2025, particularly as I look at all the great masters, past and present, that sit on this list with me. 'With 2025 marking the 25th anniversary of The Armed Man, I look back with great fondness to the premiere in 2000 at the first ever Classic FM Live concert, and I'm delighted that this piece has found resonance globally with so many of you over the years. It is wonderful that Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 tops the poll once again – cementing its place as a timeless masterpiece which appeals across the generations Classic FM Breakfast presenter Dan Walker 'I regret to say that there has been no let-up in war and conflict since I dedicated the piece to the victims of Kosovo, but we continue to make music in remembrance of those who have fallen, and in the hope that humanity can find a way to heal.' The number one film score was voted as the emotional soundtrack to Schindler's List, composed by John Williams, who is also behind the Jurassic Park, Star Wars and Harry Potter movie themes. The poll found that Mozart remains the nation's most popular composer, followed by Tchaikovsky, who overtook Beethoven and Bach. The chart also saw a growing number of entries for modern composers, including Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi who had five pieces in the new Classic FM Hall Of Fame. The results were announced by Dan Walker, presenter of Classic FM Breakfast, who said: 'Every year, the Classic FM Hall Of Fame provides a fascinating insight into the nation's favourite classical music and how those music tastes are changing, and this year – the 30th Hall Of Fame – is no exception. 'It is wonderful that Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 tops the poll once again – cementing its place as a timeless masterpiece which appeals across the generations. 'It's also exciting to see the growing popularity of film music, with 37 entries this year, and increased recognition for modern and living composers. Names like Ludovico Einaudi, Phamie Gow, and, of course, the legendary Sir Karl Jenkins are climbing up the chart, showcasing how classical music keeps evolving at the same time as honouring the greats.' The Classic FM Hall Of Fame 2025 Top 20: 1. Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No 22. Karl Jenkins – The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace3. Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending4. Vaughan Williams – Fantasia On A Theme5. Elgar – Enigma Variations6. Shostakovich – Piano Concerto No 27. Allegri – Miserere8. Beethoven – Piano Concerto No 5 ('Emperor')9. Beethoven – Symphony No 9 ('Choral')10. Holst – The Planets11. Williams – Schindler's List12. Beethoven – Symphony No 6 ('Pastoral')13. Shore – The Lord Of The Rings14. Morricone – The Mission (includes Gabriel's Oboe)15. Mozart – Requiem16. Ungar – The Ashokan Farewell17. Barber – Adagio For Strings18. Dvorak – Symphony No 9 ('From The New World')19. Faure – Requiem20. Mozart – Clarinet Concerto
The Independent
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 tops Classic FM poll for third year
Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 has been voted the nation's favourite piece of classical music for the third consecutive year, according to a new poll. The music topped the annual Classic FM Hall Of Fame poll with 90,000 votes cast by the public, crowning one of Rachmaninov's pieces as the nation's favourite. The Russian-born composer finished his classic concerto in 1901, after he overcame depression, and dedicated the piece to his doctor, Nikolai Dahl, who helped him through that period of his life. Meanwhile, at number two is Welsh composer, Sir Karl Jenkins, with The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace marking his highest ranking in the chart. The song was originally dedicated to victims of the war in Kosovo, with Jenkins taking this as an opportunity to highlight ongoing conflicts around the world. Jenkins said: 'I'm honoured and humbled that The Armed Man has reached its highest ever position in the Classic FM Hall Of Fame 2025, particularly as I look at all the great masters, past and present, that sit on this list with me. 'With 2025 marking the 25th anniversary of The Armed Man, I look back with great fondness to the premiere in 2000 at the first ever Classic FM Live concert, and I'm delighted that this piece has found resonance globally with so many of you over the years. 'I regret to say that there has been no let-up in war and conflict since I dedicated the piece to the victims of Kosovo, but we continue to make music in remembrance of those who have fallen, and in the hope that humanity can find a way to heal.' The number one film score was voted as the emotional soundtrack to Schindler's List, composed by John Williams, who is also behind the Jurassic Park, Star Wars and Harry Potter movie themes. The poll found that Mozart remains the nation's most popular composer, followed by Tchaikovsky, who overtook Beethoven and Bach. The chart also saw a growing number of entries for modern composers, including Italian pianist Ludovico Einaudi who had five pieces in the new Classic FM Hall Of Fame. The results were announced by Dan Walker, presenter of Classic FM Breakfast, who said: 'Every year, the Classic FM Hall Of Fame provides a fascinating insight into the nation's favourite classical music and how those music tastes are changing, and this year – the 30th Hall Of Fame – is no exception. 'It is wonderful that Rachmaninov's Piano Concerto No 2 tops the poll once again – cementing its place as a timeless masterpiece which appeals across the generations. 'It's also exciting to see the growing popularity of film music, with 37 entries this year, and increased recognition for modern and living composers. Names like Ludovico Einaudi, Phamie Gow, and, of course, the legendary Sir Karl Jenkins are climbing up the chart, showcasing how classical music keeps evolving at the same time as honouring the greats.' The Classic FM Hall Of Fame 2025 Top 20: 1. Rachmaninov – Piano Concerto No 22. Karl Jenkins – The Armed Man: A Mass For Peace3. Vaughan Williams – The Lark Ascending4. Vaughan Williams – Fantasia On A Theme5. Elgar – Enigma Variations6. Shostakovich – Piano Concerto No 27. Allegri – Miserere8. Beethoven – Piano Concerto No 5 ('Emperor')9. Beethoven – Symphony No 9 ('Choral')10. Holst – The Planets11. Williams – Schindler's List12. Beethoven – Symphony No 6 ('Pastoral')13. Shore – The Lord Of The Rings14. Morricone – The Mission (includes Gabriel's Oboe)15. Mozart – Requiem16. Ungar – The Ashokan Farewell17. Barber – Adagio For Strings18. Dvorak – Symphony No 9 ('From The New World')19. Faure – Requiem20. Mozart – Clarinet Concerto
