Kiril Kondrashin & Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra - Rachmaninoff: The Bells & Symphonic Dances by Kiril Kondrashin (1963/2023)
WEB FLAC (tracks) - 347 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 160 MB
1:09:06 | Classical | Label: Alexandre Bak - Classical Music Reference Recording
WEB FLAC (tracks) - 347 MB | MP3 CBR 320 kbps - 160 MB
1:09:06 | Classical | Label: Alexandre Bak - Classical Music Reference Recording
Rachmaninov's score cries out for a big, ample, glossy recording. This is what you do not get here. The recording dates from 1963, and in those years Russian taping technology was still miles behind that of Westerners. Yet far be it from me to say the sound is unpleasant. There is air around the orchestra, no engineers' monkey tricks. You hear exactly what the tapes of the day could give you. But from a sheer sonic perspective, the recording is clearly limited. The best modern version with all the excitement of a splendid performance and brilliant sound is Polyanski's on Chandos. Rachmaninov: The Bells/Symphonic Dances Having said this, as a performance this version by Kondrashin is probably unbeatable. From the first to the last note he lashes the orchestra to play as if the Devil was behind them.