Before composing this piece, I think Rachmaninoff thought: "I will try to use as many instruments as possible, each and every one of them will have individual and melodic parts. Each movement will have a different character and orchestra members will definitely have fun playing it". This performance is fantastic by the way. Especially the strings are flawless. Very well done, bravo.

@f1refall

3 жыл бұрын

saved his best for last

@timflatus

2 жыл бұрын

I think this and the 3rd Symphony are where Rachmaninov made fullest use of the range of instrumental colours, using everything he learned from Rimsky-Korsakov in service of his melodic invention. His woodwind arrangements are particularly beautiful

@jhwhearthde4244

Жыл бұрын

He could literally hear this music in his mind. And wrote it down. It is directly from heaven.

@BukaSolovna

Жыл бұрын

​@@f1refall не заканчивайте!)

10:53 gets me every time. Including a theme from his first symphony, 43 years later, as some kind of middle finger in the air to all those that doubted him and the depression that ultimately led to his time refusing to write music for a few years. What a piece, what a man.

@deshengsplashman4844

4 жыл бұрын

Jess J My youth orchestra director was talking about this... everytime we play it in rehearsal I tear up now.

@BruceXuHasADream

4 жыл бұрын

yeah i know, it's just so fuzzy and warm... great nostalgia Rachmaninoff creates!

@f1refall

3 жыл бұрын

oh thank you, I hadnt picked up on that.

@jonaskatona7136

3 жыл бұрын

Also, right after recovering from that depression (or perhaps as a result of that depression) which followed after the poor receival of his Symphony No.1, he wrote one of his most famous works, and absolutely one of the most well-known pieces of classical music: his Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor.

@tomgauger949

3 жыл бұрын

I'm with you on this... a veery short section, but warm and emotional. Wish it lasted a little longer.

I'm a person with a huge emotional blockade, the first movement of this master piece however gives me goosebumps and has the rare ability to make tears roll over my face something no other piece of music has ever been able to do for me, for that this is the most magnificent piece of music ever made for me.

@enriquesanchez2001

2 жыл бұрын

It's amazing how some pieces affect one, and others leave us unaffected. In my 66 years, I have never once enjoyed this piece! It's SO strange! Isn't it?

@joejolliffe

Жыл бұрын

@@enriquesanchez2001 I know, I enjoy the piece it is very catchy (I know not the most in depth of descriptions however it is appropriate to the dance form) but it is nowhere near emotional enough to bring me to tears!

@ludjan7729

Жыл бұрын

kzread.info/dash/bejne/kWF_sdeYc6qYdag.html (live rec. documentary in Cathedral)

@douglasmmartin2191

11 ай бұрын

Ditto 1:02

@John-je7mi

3 ай бұрын

Me Too!@@douglasmmartin2191

Second movement: 12:10 Third movement: 23:15 Allegro vivace 32:53

@Osorio111

6 жыл бұрын

thank you im writing on an essay about this and you save me time

@JTCapalot

5 жыл бұрын

thank you lol

@JoshuavanderVeen

4 жыл бұрын

@@Osorio111 LOL, and scrolling through the comments section.

@electreu4399

4 жыл бұрын

@@Osorio111i'm really interested about it, could you please let me read it ?

@Osorio111

4 жыл бұрын

Electre my old computer broke sorry 😕

Not often you hear a saxophone in an orchestra. Rach was so immersed in the colours that he wanted that only a sax would fit. Brilliant.

@raymondschroeder7270

4 жыл бұрын

read the above explanation

The saxophone is such an interesting instrument. We hear it all the time in jazz or symphonic band but it’s string/viola like quality really shines in the context of a symphony orchestra

@yeetxd3112

4 жыл бұрын

Imma yoink this comment to put into a band assignment. Thx :)

@djboo7779

4 жыл бұрын

Yeet Xd haha np

@sepiajackson1114

4 жыл бұрын

The sax to me is root to all music,I liked you comments,🏄

@sepiajackson1114

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you, most kind comment, the sax is my favourite instrument you can play from mozart to miles Davis ,I have a alto saxophone & a flute, thanks

i’m a saxophonist, classical to be specific, i just love that composers use saxophones in their pieces

One year ago to this day I fell asleep while listening to some music. I woke to this piece, and while it wasn't my first time listing to it, I hadn't heard it in a month. At 10:53 where the glockenspiel comes in, I was half awake half asleep. I told myself that this must be what heaven sounds like. It was only when the audience started to clap did I realise it was Rachmaninoff and his trickery! I swore to myself that from that day on, I will never forget the experience and always leave room in my heart for this piece.

The "Dies Irae"-quote at 35:15 is the most "goosebumping" thing I have ever heard - it is just huge music!

@victoriadorin4569

2 жыл бұрын

I didn't notice it, oop

@tweety4330

2 жыл бұрын

Exectly, major goosebumping!! I once attended the symphonic dances here in Holland and the French horn players put the "Bells Up" at 35.15 wow, extra extra goosebumps!

the woman playing the saxophone makes the slow part of the piece sounds so complete and wonderful

Sax solo: 3:32 to 5:17

Rachmaninov's masterpiece at the end of his life - a beautiful summation of all his musical themes - the haunting saxophone is just one of the superb contributions here.

@stephenpowstinger733

5 жыл бұрын

He was glad to be out that hellhole Soviet Russia but he always missed her.

At 24:01 the bells play 12 times as if they were signaling midnight. This movement was also originally titled "midnight."

Rachmaninoff was the master of some of the most glorious, rich and lush melodic lines in music.Example: start at 10:53. Wow!

@theposaunist5772

8 жыл бұрын

That is one of my favourite moments in all of music; I've played these symphonic dances, and that moment (as a trombonist placing long chord notes in that melody) is sheer bliss.

@carolmarcum5149

8 жыл бұрын

+theposaunist I love the French horn player at 5:30, who looks like he is trying to stay awake. But this is one of my favorite pieces of music of all time. My brothers and I listened to it when we were children, and had some old 78's where you had to jump up and turn the record over. The urge never goes away at the right moment, even now.

@MichaelClark-zc7ht

8 жыл бұрын

+Carol Marcum Love this image :)

@Klassiskmus

8 жыл бұрын

+Jk Stevenson And the best part of it is that this theme was the main theme of Rachmaninoff's strongly criticised 1st Symphony. The critique of this very personal symphony let Rachmaninoff in to a deep depression. Now, at the end of his life as a succesfull composer he returns to this theme, as if saying: Can you now hear the quality of my early work? I agree: it's glorious!

@steveburrus9347

7 жыл бұрын

Yeah it just irritates the hell oiutta me that the Russian public [and the music critics] didn't appreciate at all his wonderful sounding Symphony number 1! There is some speculation that Alexander Glazunov, who conducted the public premiere of it, might have been DRUNK when he conducted it, but that will never be proven. But the critics were overly harsh in their assessment of it.

Incredible mix of harmony, melody, and style. This is why I adore Rachmaninoff’s music the most.

The haunting saxophone melody in the first dance when taken up by the strings gives me goose flesh - one of Rachmaninoff's great melodic inspirations and one of his greatest compositions.

@crazyorganist1609

6 жыл бұрын

piano345 his final composition

@duncanmccaulkiner378

5 жыл бұрын

Goose flesh...

@PapadeElena

5 жыл бұрын

I agree. This melody brings me to tears. And Femke Ijlstra plays this magnificently. She has such a warm, resonant sound.

@stephenpowstinger733

5 жыл бұрын

The blonde sax player is so hot ... she gives me goose bumps!

@iansutton9746

4 жыл бұрын

Rachmaninoff had first considered using the voice of contralto Marian Anderson for this marvelous passage in the first movement, but Miss Anderson wasn't available for the premiere. The American composer-orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett suggested to him use of the saxophone, which has a similar timbre to the contralto voice. Rachmaninoff had never used the instrument in his earlier works. It obviously works beautifully. It was his last major orchestral work (some regard it as his best) and is dedicated to the Philadelphia Orchestra, which the composer regarded as his favourite, and its conductor, Eugene Ormandy, who gave its premiere performance in 1941, two years before the composer's death.

Wonderful piece! As a classical saxophonist, it's nice to hear it used in an orchestral setting.

@hartzell7407

6 жыл бұрын

The solo was sublime. Prokofiev apparently had an appreciation of the instrument as well; several of his pieces feature it prominently. Joseph Holbrook made great use of the saxophone as well.

@saxyricks4731

6 жыл бұрын

Amen to that.

@kreatillion1718

6 жыл бұрын

I find it funny, the irony in "classical saxophonist" It's also rare to see "saxophone" and "Orchestra" in the same sentence when it isn't something along the lines of "saxophones aren't allowed in orchestras"

@kirsteni.russell5903

6 жыл бұрын

Let's hope that Rachmaninoff and Prokofiev and other composers whose works feature the instrument finally obliterate the prejudice against using the saxophone in orchestras. Yes, there IS a prejudice against the saxophone as a standard orchestral instrument, despite its great versatility, and that goes back to the inventor of the instrument (whose surname was Sax!). There's a You-Tube video about why the saxophone isn't used in orchestras--it's an infuriating story. But the instrument has also been used in symphonic film scores, as in the alto saxophone cadenzas Franz Waxman included in his symphonic score for A PLACE IN THE SUN (1951).

@paulybarr

5 жыл бұрын

I love Prokofieff's use of it in Romeo and Juliet.

That saxophone is like butter it's so smooth

To me personally Rachmaninoff speaks in a language I understand! Listening to this genius fills my heart with tears! That is his glory!

Rachmaninoff was a master orchestrator. Perhaps one of the greatest of his time.

@aleksPval

9 ай бұрын

i see u under every Rachmaninoff piece :P

@taieberic2547

9 ай бұрын

Oui bien sur .Heritier de ses predecesseurs qui a sut innove rajoute sa specificite incopiable 9:33 9:34 9:35 9:36

The Russian genius at its peak. This performance is mesmerizing, captivating, full of emotional and intellectual depth. Rachmaninov takes our heart and mind into a journey that covers and sums up all of his life, in 3 amazing symphonic dances. Notice the quote of the 1st theme of the 1st movement of his 1st symphony at 10:50, and the quote of 9th movement of "Vespers" at 35:49. I can not get enough of this masterpiece. Thank you Rachmaninov, thank you for composing such a work of art!

@hellomate639

2 жыл бұрын

Intellectual depth I feel almost subtracts from its raw emotional power. To me, this music is the peak of Rachmaninoff perfecting his style of musical communication of emotion. When I listen to this piece, I feel like I have a view into his inner world, his emotions, his life, as if he's a dear friend. Rachmaninoff gets kind of cast as being *about* sophistication because his music *is* sophisticated, but whenever I listen to Rachmaninoff, I honestly just feel like I'm connected to his soul.

@kuygon1964

9 ай бұрын

the 9th movement of his vespers/all night vigil is my favourite and I genuinely did a double take when I heard that bit at 35:49. the dies irae quotes at around 13 and a half mintutes and 35:05 are especially powerful. you are certainly correct and so is the other comment down here. it is a true connection to the soul of Rachmaninoff.

This is my all-time favourite orchestral work from Rachmaninoff, and I do like the opening first movement with the saxophone and piano also and well performed throughout.

@vjwaks8321

2 жыл бұрын

Masterpiece from the master composer. Timeless, immortal, so many ages in his life, in this piece. And this i feel is the finest rendition.

Such power, glory and majesty in the opening. I feel myself being lifted up as I listen.

Een prachtig muziekstuk! Blij dat ik het nog eens kan horen! Thanx

Fijn dat avroklassiek zoveel uitstekende concerten beschikbaar heeft in de hoogste kwaliteit.

The saxophone's performance really pulled at heart strings...maybe we'll get a chance to play this music in next semester and I'm still considering to play clarinet or piano...which both have very beautiful solos

One of the great moments on KZread. What a fabulous orchestra!!! I have still got chills. I listen to this piece all the time. What a wonderful way to spend half an hour!

This work, more than any other by Rachmaninoff, stirs my imagination. I love Rachmaninoff's symphonic, piano, choral, etc. music, but no other stirs my imagination like this one. I hear it almost the way I hear movie music, i.e.--"and in this part this happens," etc. I guess that's because this is a work of Symphonic Dances, although I don't imagine people dancing to this. Rather, I imagine it as a score for a dramatic adventure story.

@taieberic2547

9 ай бұрын

Oui et non Car c'est trop souvent le reproche incongru qu"on lui fait d'avoir ecrit de la musique de film Mais vous le reconnaissez vous meme Cette danse symphonique ne doit pas etre danse ni accompagne un fillm Elle est suffisament inspirante pour se suffir et nous combles 15:58 15:58 15:59

I read many of the comments before I attempted to write this so I will simply say that this is a huge tapestry of tonal art which deserves its place and great recognition in the musical literature. I'm thrilled that it is always available to enrich my day. Thank you for the video.

One of my favorite works of music for all time. It's so dramatic that you can imagine a story with this music! But watching an orchestra play it is a great treat too, and no story comes to my mind when I watch the orchestra play it, because it becomes a concert in my mind. To be a member of the audience at this concert would be a fantastic treat, but what I love about watching it on You Tube is the closeness of the orchestra. Better than binoculars at a live concert. BUT--when I want more sonic splendor I have to listen to the music on my hi-fi stereo CD player.

@taieberic2547

9 ай бұрын

Cest beau tres emouvant 11:40

@Coolbardie

28 күн бұрын

That's exactly how I feel! I listen to my CD with earphones on to hear in greater depth. While it's exciting to watch an orchestra in a concert hall, being able to see the musicians up close is more satisfying for me. The first time I heard this was about 40 years ago at a concert by the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and I've loved it ever since. Thanks for providing this wonderful experience. ❤

So much drama and soul. He was most full of heart in pieces as this. Love his music.

Beautiful performance of one of my all-time favorite symphonic works. I've heard this in various recordings over a period of many years, and it grips me every single time!

@edmaystacey7028

7 жыл бұрын

" a oopn

Rachmaninov : je ne sais pas quelle sorte d'homme il était, quel fils, quel mari ,quel amant, ami, mais comme compositeur il est merveilleux, admirable ...

And that alto sax part is so beautifully played... Thanks for the explanation.

@jeandemontebello3223

3 жыл бұрын

Stunningly beautiful

Polyrhythm! As a modern jazz drummer, I say wow, awesome!

10:50 Will remember this part until death. Always a comfort when listening to.

@davidbento7441

7 жыл бұрын

SOOO TRUE !!

@martinfj

6 жыл бұрын

This is actually from his 1st symphony, which Rachmaninoff thought was lost for ever when he published this work. He included it believing noone would ever know where it came from.

@flowersbyphone2554

5 жыл бұрын

I had listened to his first symphony before hearing symphonic dances and I pretty much cried when I heard/recognized that

Us, we, music lovers, should be thankful to have access to performances such as these! Negativism, negative people helps us to reaffirm to feel and perceive values of those who had, have and will have the talent to make our lives better with their participation in the world of music. Thank you.

Best part is 9:13 to 9:23!!!!!!! The whole composition is too beautiful to receive all at once so I listen to this over and over as I drive to office and back. The freeway I take knows this music by now on its own. Bravo to the orchestra: PERFECT!

@oleflogger6828

6 жыл бұрын

Ah, yes, Marie. If you are driving to work on Route 880 in Northern California you might hear the same music when passing my SUV. However, it'll likely be a different part of the piece, though. Sorry if that bothers you. I like my Rachmaninoff fairly loud, you see.

A great reading of this magnificent Romantic classic. It has the vast sweep of the Steppes and the melancholy so often epitomized in Rachmaninov's great music. Thank you for making it available.

I have listened to this work many times now, but the most intriguing part to me is not the often quoted saxophone theme in the first movement but the main melody of the Andante, which begins some way way in. I just love how the harmonies change and the very russian sounding intervalls.

My new favorite orchestral work!!!

@JesseDavis7373

8 жыл бұрын

Dies Irae sounds about 35:20. Wow! This work is like a what-if combination of 20th Century Russian greats Stravinsky, Prokofiev and Shostakovich, minus the pessimism.

Well, here I am again for this fabulous performance. Pure magic.

wow the concert master sounds INCREDIBLE (13:12)

Although the Radio Philharmonic is completely unknown in the United States - except, perhaps, visitors to KZread - it's really an amazing orchestra. This performance, and another of the Rachmaninoff Second Symphony - elsewhere on KZread - are both are perfect. The playing is really at the highest level - at least according to my ears.

The saxophone is extraterrestrially good.

@iansutton9746

4 жыл бұрын

Rachmaninoff considering using the voice of contralto Marian Anderson for this marvelous passage in the first movement, but Miss Anderson wasn't available for the premiere. The American composer-orchestrator Robert Russell Bennett suggested to him use of the saxophone, which has a similar timbre to the contralto voice. Rachmaninoff had never used the instrument in his earlier works. It obviously works beautifully. It was his last major orchestral work (some regard it as his best) and is dedicated to the Philadelphia Orchestra, which the composer regarded as his favourite, and its conductor, Eugene Ormandy, who gave its premiere performance.

Here I am back to listen to this once again. I can never leave it for very long. Next to "Vespers" this is perhaps Rachmaninoff's finest work.

That whip pan at 24:12 is awesome - don't think I've ever seen such a thing in a concert video. (Oh, and the music is gorgeous, too!)

6:37 I was wondering why this part sounded so familiar and I finally realized that it is very similar to John Williams “Across the Stars” from Attack of the clones. Probably inspired by Rachmaninoff

A well deserved 5 minute standing ovation. A remarkable performance.

I. Non allegro 0:00 II. Andante con moto (Tempo di valse) 12:12 III. Lento assai. Allegro vivace 23:16

Rachmaninoff absolutely rocks with the performance, fabulous principal players...Gardner at his very best

@guybenbetzalel654

6 жыл бұрын

Paul Pizzo ע

@stephenpowstinger733

5 жыл бұрын

Yes "rock n' roll" was invented by Rach-man in-off the whirlwind of Petersburg.

El Gran Rachmaninov, mi compositor favorito

@kirsteni.russell5903

5 жыл бұрын

Mine too!

@f1refall

3 жыл бұрын

et moi

Rachmaninoff was talking about the solo to a friend who suggested the saxophone, which was new, but known. In early scores, there's an indication that the saxophone part can be defaulted to alternating 1st Bassoon and Cor Anglais, but in later scores this is removed, given the availability of saxophonists :)

Finally! A performance that takes the ending at the proper fast tempo. (Instead of the usual plodding flat-footedness). Excellent!

2:30 This is beautiful :D The swell, right into the leitmotif :)

Wow! Beautifully done.. a very nice interpretation of one of my favorite pieces... Thanks

Well said. The sax solo makes my knees weak.

I had forgot why I had this song in my playlist untill I listen 3:33 I love so much this part .

What a wonderful version. One of the best I've heard.

Amongst the most moving pieces of music I know. Hauntingly beautiful melodies and a masterpiece of orchestral harmony ... what more could you ask for?

Amazing incredible bravo perfect - fantastic - well played and conducted !!!!! ❤ R A C H M A N I N O V

Love the music of Rachmaninoff. Especially his symphonic dances, which are so beautiful. A real pleaser to listen to. Wonderful recording. Tanks for uploading this concert.

Ya,Ya,Ya, “Ach du lieber, mein schatz”!!! Wave after wave of gorgeous glorious flowing MELODY! My defibrulator almost blew a gasket!! How I greatly loved to see most every instrument “play its licks”! I especially loved to see the older bassoonist “dancing around with his instrument”, really “into” the music!! At 82, I’d be blessed to pass on listening to this amazing music! At 12:24am, how will I ever be able to sleep tonight without “booppin’ around in my bed?! Magnificent night with a stunning performance!!! “Gesundheit”!

What a genius piece of music....especially the oboe, clarinet, saxophone parts....ok they are all great! Kudos to the orchestra and conductor! Love from Texas!

My favorite performance of this masterpiece.

@stephenmessick6619

9 жыл бұрын

John Garner Yes, how could it be better. Those of us blessed to hear/see this video are very lucky indeed. One of the great KZread moments.

I've been listening to this work for over 30 years and I feel that I am only now starting to broach the emotional depths of it. It's like catching one big wave after another my emotions surfing along for the most exhilarating ride.

As I listen to this Rachmaninoff masterpiece, I realize that Rachmaninoff's expertise with an orchestra, both composing and conducting, is often taken for granted. Rachmaninoff conducted many orchestras over the span of his life and I have heard it said if we think he was a brilliant pianist, he was also a brilliant conductor. Many people said that he was a better conductor than pianist, even though he was one of the greatest pianists of his generation. All one needs to do is listen to his compositions and we can see his expertise with orchestra. Ah, Rach, how much we take for granted your skill and greatness. I wish you were alive today so we could inject joy into your life and make that melancholic face beam with joy and happiness.

I like the conductor's hair. It bounces around a lot when he conducts. That amuses me. Brought to you by: Poems by Sir Levine

@sirlevine538

3 жыл бұрын

That third movement is spectacular though.

@someguythatsucksatdrumstan1510

2 жыл бұрын

This is the most beautiful poem I have ever heard in years.

Holy shit I never knew how good saxes can sound in orchestras. I guess the ones now simply have their sound tuned to jazz

There are very few good performances of this piece, but this is definitely one. Bright, rhythmic snappy, and the ending bars are a headlong rush to oblivion. Perfect.

easily the best version on youtube

The quote from "All-night vigil - Blessed be the lord" in the finale managed to put a smile of joy on my face. That's my favorite part from my favorite composition of the set!

A performance worthy of praise. Gardner deftly manages the complex rhythms and holds it all together beautifully.

Wonderfully soul-soothing works!

Bravo Madame la Saxophoniste, dommage que l' on ne voit pas plus car votre aisance est superbe. Cela ne retire rien à Rachmaninoff bien sûr.

As glorious a performance of Rachmaninoff's greatest work as I have ever heard!

What a great piece of art , complete amazing

thanks for sharing. this one was very interesting to watch.

I really like this version. Got a much appassionate, delicate, and peaceful.

so many textures throughout... amazing

Awesome!! Thanks for uploading.

After listening to this and the orchestra's unsurpassed 2nd Symphony, it seems this is THE group made for Rachmaninoff's unbridled romanticism. It outshines, to my ear and heart, even the Philadelphia under Ormandy

@robertfrankgill5962

6 жыл бұрын

rkentburke The version (on CBS) by Ormandy and the Philadelphia. Wonderful! But this performance with Gardner is also brilliant.

I just played the piano part with an orchestra today. What a masterpiece!

@katttttt

3 ай бұрын

There is a piano part?

@theoryjoe1451

3 ай бұрын

@@katttttt 5:43

Amazing piece all around, but this has got to be one of the absolutely most riveting of all codas ever produced!

I'm surprised Rachmaninov didn't call this piece a "concerto for orchestra." I mean, even the violas had places to shine!!!

Wow, wow & wow again; what a finale. The lady saxophonist in the first dance seemed almost possessed by her instrument, having no choice but to do its bidding - I could listen to that superb solo over & over. This is composing, orchestration & musicianship of the highest order, & hats off to the conductor too.

Please tell me the name of this saxophonist.

This hurts my heart, it is so beautiful.

wonderful performance thanks for uploading

Need to see this live!

The first and s cubs movements are absolutely sublime

There was a story... Originally rachmaninov write this part for vocal... But few days before first execution she became ill. Rachmaninov didn't now what to do, and orchestrant's propose to him invite saxophonist, who was alongside. Rachmaninov so liked sound of saxophone in this solo, that he rewrite this for saxophone. That story tell his son to Margharita Shaposhnikova.

Trèe belle qualité d'enregistrement, merci ♥)

Thank you for sharing this video!❤

A cloake of mystique surrounds the lively master work .Few have achieved this level of quality such as Rachmaninoff .

@GoldandAppel

4 жыл бұрын

This was HIS only time doing this!

A masterpiece played beautifully

Just love this entire work

Exciting- beautiful - great conductor

Dude, I'm absolutely in love with the first minute

Frei nach Loriot: "Ein Leben ohne die Musik Rachmaninovs ist zwar möglich, aber sinnlos!" Danke für dieses wunderschöne Konzert. Ausgezeichnete Einspielung!