How is it possible we overlooked this gem?
Rachmaninoff "Symphonic Dances". A beautiful and compositionally brilliant work that I have always had a soft spot for due, in part, to the use of the saxophone in a prominent solo role. The go-to audiophile favorite has always been the Johanos/Dallas which does have spectacular sound and pretty good playing overall; but, is marred by a horribly out of tune saxophone solo. The Ormandy/Philadelphia (they premiered the work) is very good, but there is something about Russian orchestras performing the works of Russian composers that rings true for me. The Temirkanov/St. Petersburg is a favorite.
BTW, I mentioned the Messiaen "Quartet FTEOT" in my first post; wonderful work.
Rachmaninoff "Symphonic Dances". A beautiful and compositionally brilliant work that I have always had a soft spot for due, in part, to the use of the saxophone in a prominent solo role. The go-to audiophile favorite has always been the Johanos/Dallas which does have spectacular sound and pretty good playing overall; but, is marred by a horribly out of tune saxophone solo. The Ormandy/Philadelphia (they premiered the work) is very good, but there is something about Russian orchestras performing the works of Russian composers that rings true for me. The Temirkanov/St. Petersburg is a favorite.
BTW, I mentioned the Messiaen "Quartet FTEOT" in my first post; wonderful work.