Rachmaninov: Bells (The) / Symphonic Dances

Featuring

Semyon Bychkov
Tatiana Pavlovskaya
Evgeny Akimov
Vladimir Vaneev
WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln
WDR Rundfunkchor Köln

Lege Artis Chamber Choir
Sergei Rachmaninoff

Did you know?

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Interpretation

Conductor Semyon Bychkov believes that a more objective view of Rachmaninoff reveals him as a master of musical form and orchestral treatment, not just a composer of pretty melodies.

Recording & Production

The WDR Rundfunkchor Köln, a professional choir with 48 singers, has performed over 130 premieres and first performances of contemporary music.

Performer Biography

Semyon Bychkov, the conductor on this recording, was a pupil of the legendary Russian pedagogue Ilya Musin.

Critical Reception

For decades, Rachmaninoff's music was considered "backward-looking kitsch" by German musicologists, though not in England, America, or Russia.

Recording & Production

The WDR Sinfonieorchester Köln, featured on this recording, is not only the studio orchestra for WDR radio and television but also performs numerous concerts.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Rachmaninoff aimed for immediate comprehensibility and evocative quality in his compositions, seeking to stimulate an "inner resonance" in the listener.

Compositional Technique

Rachmaninoff's scores include extraordinarily precise technical indications and detailed performance instructions, which are crucial for proper interpretation.