Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 2 / Dances from Aleko / Scherzo
Its irresistible melodies and lush orchestration account for Rachmaninoff's Second being the most popular of his three symphonies. The yearning string themes and the long, exquisite Adagio with its gorgeous clarinet solo overcome even resistance from diehard anti-Romanticists. Here, Järvi and his outstanding orchestra give full due to the work's melodic richness, clothing the themes in a velvet blanket of string and woodwind sound while spinning Rachmaninoff's long lines with a sure hand. Without excessive lingering, Järvi brings out many details buried in other versions and the faster movements, the Scherzo and the Finale, have plenty of dash and color. The fillers are delightful too, especially the pair of dances from Rachmaninoff's operaAleko, the first sinuous, the second zestful. Telarc lavishes its usual excellent sonics on the band, placing it in a realistic dynamic frame. There have been numerous fine versions of Rachmaninoff's Second from the likes of Svetlanov, Ormandy, Temirkanov and Previn, but Järvi's belongs in their company and benefits from superior sound.--Dan Davis