Asked in later life to name his favourite works, Rachmaninov chose not his orchestral masterpieces nor those for piano but two of his choral works, the ‘Vespers’ and this ‘choral symphony’ of sorts, ‘The Bells’ based on verses by Edgar Allan Poe.
It is good to welcome back Dutoit’s spacious and beautifully recorded account and many will also be fortunate to discover his beautiful choral piece ‘Spring’ (which ‘builds up in Dutoit’s fine performance into a magnificent climax and final coda fully worthy of being compared with the more celebrated works’ Gramophone) as well as the ‘Three Russian Songs’. Writing about the disc on its first appearance, Gramophone said: ‘Charles Dutoit’s disc with the Philadelphia Orchestra conveniently couples all three of Rachmaninov’s choral works with orchestra. The recording is one of the warmest and most refined to have come from Philadelphia in recent years and with the composer’s favourite orchestra, Dutoit draws out comparable qualities in the music with strings and woodwind solos sensuously beautiful.’
SERGEI RACHMANINOV
The Bells, Op. 35
Spring, Op. 20
Three Russian Songs, Op. 41
Alexandrina Pendachanska, soprano
Kaludi Kaludov, tenor
Sergei Leiferkus, tenor
Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia
Philadelphia Orchestra
Charles Dutoit
‘All of Rachmaninov’s works for choir and orchestra. A nice idea and the performances are more than satisfactory and allow us to enjoy these works at super budget price’ MusicWeb International
‘One of Dutoit’s finest hours as a Rachmaninov interpreter’ Limelight
‘With the composer’s favourite orchestra Dutoit draws out warmth and refinement in the music with strings and woodwind solos sensuously beautiful’ Gramophone