Episode 3
Donald Macleod explores Rachmaninov and his family's decamping first to Italy, then to Dresden, to escape the turmoil of the Russian Revolution in 1905.
In this week's edition of Composer of the Week, Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Sergei Rachmaninov.
Wednesday's programme sees Rachmaninov and his family decamping first to Italy, then to Dresden, to escape the turmoil of the 1905 Revolution. His time in the Saxon capital doesn't sound like much of a ball - as the composer wrote to a friend, "We live here like hermits: we see nobody, we know nobody, and we go nowhere." Donald Macleod introduces two of Rachmaninov's songs and a complete performance of his 2nd Symphony, given a mixed reception at its première but now a firm concert-hall favourite.
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Music Played
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Sergey Rachmaninov
Polka italienne, for piano 4 hands (?1906)
Performer: Ingryd Thorson & Julian Thurber
- Paula PACD 46 Dbl.,.
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Sergey Rachmaninov
2 songs from 15 Songs, op.26 (1906)
Performer: +Maria Popescu (mezzo-sop), *Joan Rodgers (sop) / Howard Shelley (pno)
- Chandos CHAN 9451,.
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Sergey Rachmaninov
Symphony no.2 in e minor, op.27 (1906–7)
Performer: Philadelphia Orchestra / Eugene Ormandy (cond)
- Sony SB2K 63257,.
Broadcasts
- Wed 4 Feb 200912:00BBC Radio 3
- Wed 4 Feb 200922:00BBC Radio 3
- Wed 6 Apr 201112:00BBC Radio 3
- Wed 6 Apr 201122:00BBC Radio 3
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