Rachmaninov: Symphonic Dances/ Isle of the Dead/The Rock Orchestral & Concertos Avie Records

About Chandos

About Us

Chandos Records is one of the world's premier classical music record companies, best known for its ground breaking search for neglected musical gems. The company has pioneered the idea of the 'series' and proudly includes series of such composers as Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky, Parry, Walton, Grainger, Berkeley and Bridge. Renowned for its superb sound quality, Chandos has won many prestigious awards for its natural sound.

Customer Service

Popular Categories

(New) Chandos CD Printed Catalogue

Get In Touch

Chandos Records
Chandos House
1 Commerce Park
Commerce Way
Colchester
Essex
CO2 8HX
United Kingdom

Tel: +44(0)1206 225200
Fax: +44(0)1206 225201

VAT No: 466104851
Co. reg: 1424451

Secure Payments

Vasily Petrenko conducts the RPO on tremendous form in a precise and dramatic performance of both pieces, plus the tone poem ,The Isle of the Dead’. Worth it for the woodwind alone. Claudia Pritchard

The Independent - 28 March 2010

Artistic Quality 10 Sound Quality 10

"None of this music lacks for excellent performances, but you’d be hard pressed to find demonstrably superior versions of any of these pieces gathered together on a single disc."

David Hurwitz

ClassicsToday.com - June 2010

Maybe it’s Petrenko’s Russian origins that inspire his orchestra to this richly intelliegent performance, from the dark brooding beginnings of the Isle of the Dead to the lovely lyricism of the waltz from the Symphonic Dances. The dramatic climaxes, showcase a thrilling brass section, although the orchestra plays with passion whilst maintaining both clarity and texture throughout. Put on the headphones, shut out the world and reward yourself with an hour of terrific musical intensity. Jane Jones

Classic FM Magazine - March 2010

Three pieces spanning Rachmaninov’s life are given equal weight by Petrenko." "The Symphonic Dances(1940), The Isle of the Dead (1909) and The Rock (1893) all have distinctive Rachmaninov stamp, for which Petrenko has a sure ear, coupled with a stylistic acuity that enables him to point out the differences between the later and the earlier music." "the detail and emotional substance are so sympathetically handles that this early piece [The Rock], which is by no means unskilled but lacks Rachmaninov’s later finesse, is invested with a passion, lustre and sensitivity that fully justify its being placed alongside two masterpieces of his maturity."

Geoffrey Norris

Gramophone - May 2010

the winds [RLPO] are characterful - the alto saxophonist brings an aptly Russian melancholy and nostalgia to his solo in the opening non allegro movement - and Petrenko keeps the brass well in check. He achieves a wonderfully integrated blend of orchestral sound, yet his attention to detail of instrumentation and dynamic is achieved without artifical highlighting. The central tempo di valse movement has an easy-going lilt and the allegro vivace of the finale is electrifying." **** Hugh Canning

The Sunday Times - 21 February 2010

**** Andrew Clark

Financial Times - 13 March 2010

My Wish List