Rachmaninov Symphony No.2 Live in Concert Vladimir Ashkenazy 7 4 7 8 4 4 D D C C G G I I S S
Total Page：16
File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb
SIGCD530_Booklet*.qxp_BookletSpread.qxt 19/12/2017 12:56 Page 1 CTP Template: CD_DPS1 COLOURS Compact Disc Booklet: Double Page Spread CYAN MAGENTA Customer YELLOW Catalogue No. BLACK Job Title Page Nos. Also available… RACHMANINOV SYMPHONY NO.2 LIVE IN CONCERT VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY 7 4 7 8 4 4 D D C C G G I I S S Nielsen: Flute & Clarinet Concertos, Aladdin Suite Rachmaninov: Symphony No.1 Philharmonia Orchestra Vladimir Ashkenazy conductor Samuel Coles flute SIGCD484 Mark van de Wiel clarinet Paavo Järvi “Ashkenazy knows how to shape detail and soar in the big SIGCD477 melodic moments. The Philharmonia sound is muscular and alert, from the opening woodwind solos to the mighty, “Mark van de Wiel plays this demanding work with flair, stirring symphonic tutti of the finale.” poise and insight; and, like Coles, receives an esteemed The Observer collaboration from the Philharmonia Orchestra and Järvi … the sound is vivid and complements first-class music and music-making.” Classical Source 12 1 291.0mm x 169.5mm SIGCD530_Booklet*.qxp_BookletSpread.qxt 19/12/2017 12:56 Page 2 CTP Template: CD_DPS1 COLOURS Compact Disc Booklet: Double Page Spread CYAN MAGENTA Customer YELLOW Catalogue No. BLACK Job Title Page Nos. SERGEI RACHMANINOV 1873-1943 he resigned from the staff of the Bolshoi and RACHMANINOV Symphony No. 2 in E minor, Op. 27 went off to Italy with his family, intending to SYMPHONY NO.2 escape the political unrest in Russia. But work LIVE IN CONCERT Largo – Allegro moderato proved difficult: Rachmaninov had hoped to Allegro molto begin another opera, based on Flaubert’s novel Symphony No. 2 in E minor , Op. 27 Adagio Salammbô , but wranglings over the libretto Allegro vivace forced him to abandon the idea. His young 1 I. Largo – Allegro moderato 18.37 daughter, Irina, was unwell and in the autumn 2 II. Allegro molto 10.16 It was not until the second half of the last century the family returned to Russia – but not for long. 3 III. Adagio 15.05 that Rachmaninov began to be taken seriously as They set off almost immediately for Dresden, 4 IV. Allegro vivace 14.41 a composer. Previously, all that was well known where they spent a few months of each of his work were his piano concertos (the Second subsequent year living in relative peace and Total timings: 58.42 and Third in particular) and a handful of piano seclusion. Rachmaninov was able to concentrate pieces – the best-known being the celebrated C once again on composition. He began work on yet PHILHARMONIA ORCHESTRA sharp minor Prelude, which he wrote when he was another opera, this time based on a play by VLADIMIR ASHKENAZY CONDUCTOR still in his teens and went on to despise in later Maeterlinck, Monna Vanna ; and – in secret – on life. Nowadays his piano music is no longer another symphony. Perhaps he kept the symphony regarded as fodder for virtuosos with strong under wraps because he was still sensitive about fingers and weak intellects, and his symphonic the dismal reception of his First Symphony. music is treated with due respect. Whatever the reasons, not even his friends knew about it until they read about it in a newspaper. But one area of his output is still little-known: his operas. Rachmaninov worked for several years as One such friend, Mikhail Slonov, wrote asking an opera conductor and gave the first about the report and Rachmaninov replied: ‘I performances of two of his own operas at the have composed a symphony. It’s true! It’s only Bolshoi Theatre in the spring of 1906. ready in rough. I finished it a month ago and Immediately after these performances, however, immediately put it aside. It was a severe worry to 2 3 2 3 291.0mm x 169.5mm SIGCD530_Booklet*.qxp_BookletSpread.qxt 19/12/2017 12:56 Page 3 CTP Template: CD_DPS1 COLOURS Compact Disc Booklet: Double Page Spread CYAN MAGENTA Customer YELLOW Catalogue No. BLACK Job Title Page Nos. me and I am not going to think about it any more. awarded Rachmaninov the 100-rouble first prize Rachmaninov’s trademarks, a dactylic rhythm which are such a distinctive feature of the theme, But I am mystified how the papers got hold of it!’ for the symphony that same year; Scriabin came driving the music forwards. There is a drive the music forward in a headlong gallop. A And he expanded further in another letter: second with Le poème de l’extase . contrasting lyrical second theme, a brief respite cymbal crash and a brass fanfare introduce the ‘Recently heard from Slonov that he read in some from the galloping opening subject, and then a effulgent second subject, which ends with a paper that I had finished a symphony. As you may The symphony opens with a long, brooding slow central section, which – like the motto theme peaceful reminiscence of the ‘Adagio’. After a have heard something about this too, I want to introduction. It is in an arch shape, rising from that opens the symphony – sounds like a less serene but still good-humoured say a few words on the subject. A month ago, or the darkness of a motto theme in the cellos and Russian Orthodox procession. development, the recapitulation is introduced by more, I really did finish a symphony, but to this basses, reminiscent of Russian Orthodox chant, a huge crescendo , beginning with a downward must be added the phrase “in draft”. I have not to a passionate climax and then subsiding again The ‘Adagio’ is the lyrical heart of the symphony. scale on the bassoon. The whole orchestra announced it to the world because I want to into the gloom. A recitative for the cor anglais Here Rachmaninov is at his romantic greatest, eventually joins in – even the glockenspiel – complete it properly first. While I was planning to ushers in the ‘Allegro’, a large-scale sonata writing passionate and intense music, at once before the march theme makes its triumphant clean it up, it became terribly boring and movement built principally upon the violins’ first yearning and nostalgic. The clarinet melody – one return. The recapitulation of the second subject repulsive to me. So I put it aside and went on with subject, which manages to soar and drive of the greatest tunes of the 20th century – is is topped off by a final return of the motto-theme, other things. So the world wouldn’t know anything forward simultaneously. A solo clarinet accompanied by a remarkable texture, created by and a whirlwind coda brings the symphony to a about it yet, if it weren’t for Ziloti, who came here introduces a new tune, taken up by the strings, dividing the strings into no less than 16 joyous conclusion. and dragged out of me everything I’ve done and consisting of falling sequences – one of independent parts. The movement is in sonata everything I’m going to do. I told him I’m going Rachmaninov’s melodic trademarks. There is one form, with a second subject group made up of a © Wendy Thompson to do a symphony. So that’s how I already have an more theme in the exposition, a radiant, lyrical series of questions and answers for the invitation to conduct it next season!’ tune for the cellos. The tempestuous woodwinds and a brief development section. But development section rises to first one climax and this wonderful music defies analysis, in that its In fact, all this was true. Rachmaninov began then another, even louder and more dissonant. beauty lies in the seemingly endless melody that work on the orchestration of the Second The recapitulation dwells more on the gentler Rachmaninov spins. Symphony in the summer of 1907, immediately material, music that seems the more passive after the birth of his second daughter, and after the storms of the development. The ‘Adagio’ ends in a mood of quiet resignation, finished it shortly before the first performance, at once positive and melancholy. After that, the which he conducted himself in St Petersburg The scherzo opens with a swaggering theme for finale bursts in with an opening march-like early in 1908. The Glinka Prize committee horns, with the violins articulating another of theme, bristling with bravura energy. The triplets, 4 5 4 5 291.0mm x 169.5mm SIGCD530_Booklet*.qxp_BookletSpread.qxt 19/12/2017 12:56 Page 4 CTP Template: CD_DPS1 COLOURS Compact Disc Booklet: Double Page Spread CYAN MAGENTA Customer YELLOW Catalogue No. BLACK Job Title Page Nos. the UK as it does in London, especially at its More recently the Philharmonia and Salonen residencies: in Bedford, Leicester, Canterbury, have forged a new path with Virtual Reality. Basingstoke, at the Three Choirs Festival and 360 Experience , produced with 3D audio and Garsington Opera. At the heart of the UK video, has been presented at Southbank Centre residencies is a programme delivered by the and at the Ravinia (Chicago) and Cheltenham Philharmonia Education team that empowers Festivals, and is sold through the people in every community to engage and PlayStationVR store. participate in orchestral music. The Philharmonia was founded in 1945 by EMI Internationally, the Philharmonia is active producer Walter Legge. It has been self- across Europe, Asia and the USA. With Esa- governing since 1964 and is owned by its 80 e Pekka Salonen, the Orchestra has recently members. During its first seven decades, the d e o r B x undertaken major tours to Taiwan and Japan Orchestra collaborated with most of the great i l e F : o (spring 2017), West-Coast USA (autumn 2016) classical artists of the 20th century, such as t o h P and a residency at Festival d’Aix-en-Provence in Strauss and Karajan.