Sergei Rachmaninoff, “Symphony No. 2”

Following what used to be called “phonographic publishing” is becoming a bit complicated and we have chosen this prestigious example to illustrate it. Following, in 2023, the 150^e anniversary of Rachmaninoff’s birth, the Berlin Philharmonic released in January 2024 a “physical” album of 2 CDs and 1 Blu-ray with the 2^e Symphony, THE 2^e Concerto, L’Isle of the Dead and the Symphonic dances under the direction of its leader. Part of this album had been leaked by the publication in October of the 2^e Concerto (with Kirill Gerstein) on SACD. As these are luxury and expensive products, we were waiting for their appearance on listening platforms. Everything is now accessible, this 2^e Symphony having been “released” at the beginning of June (it can also be downloaded in high resolution on specialized sites). It stands out for its sap, luxury and generosity of sound, which seriously compete with the Yannick Nézet-Séguin/Philadelphie (DG) version. The latter narrowly win with their clearer and brighter recording.

To see in video