Rachmaninov for beginners

It's not orchestral or instrumental music, but my favorite Rachmaninov is his Vespers. It is beautiful and accessible. I own the version on Telarc but versions on other labels with Russian choruses have received outstanding reviews, too. If you ever have the chance to hear it live, I hope you take the opportunity.

Jim Crane

Others have recommended Rach's Piano Concerto 2 & 3, and the Rhapsody on a Theme of Pagnini. These and his Symphony # 2 are great starting points. I would also recommend his Symphonic Dances, much more energized than any of the above, more dramatic if you will. For piano music I would also recommend the Suites for 2 pianos with Previn and Ashkenazy and his Preludes by Hayroudinoff on Chandos.

IMHO, Ashkenazy rules Rachmaninov - all of his works are now on budget disc's and are excellent performances and recordings. His performances are a bit more crisp, more drive, drama, more Russian if you will, than others. The slow overly soupy sounds made by many conductors is initially engaging, but for me at least, over the long haul grows tiring on repeated listening. Seek out the Ashkenazy/Previn recordings on Decca, for the Rhapsody, PC's and Symphonies by Ashkenazy (but Previns are a real alternative choice is you like something more romantic).

As an alternative, for just one piece to start you off, in excellent sound and at a budget price, I would highly recommend with the Rhapsody on a Theme of Pagnini by Rubenstein with Reiner and the CSO on RCA. The CD also contains Falla's Nights in the Gardens of Spain. This is a winner!

Enjoy........

Thanks all.

this CD looks like just the ticket, and at $8.00 will not break the bank.

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=74012

(Another shameless plug for archivmusic, with which I have no affiliation other than being a fan).

I'll chime in my vote for the piano concerto's 2 and 3. Both are difficult to
walk away from. Furthermore, and on another note, if you have not seen the
film "Shine" (the 'true' story of pianist David Helfgott) go and rent
it. It happens to be a great movie, but also prominently features the "
rock 3" piano concerto as a central theme in the plot. Geoffrey Rush
gives
a stellar performance in that film, as does the actor who plays his character
in school years, Noah Taylor.

Marco

PS If you enjoy the Rachmaninov piano concerto's, I'd also highly recommend
taking a listen to the Saint-Saens Piano Concerto #2 - I think you'd enjoy that
very much as well. The performance I have is by Andre Previn and is available
at "the nice price" on CBS Masterworks.

What is not mentioned above is that Rachmaninoff was not only a great composer but made is living for the most part as a concert performer, perhaps the last great pianist/composer. His hands were massive, said to equal Liszt's, which is why it is the rare player who can play either with ease, they wrote for their hands.
For lushness there is little that compares with his Rhapsody on a Theme by Paginini, especially by Van Cliburn, I would second the Vespers by the Robert SHaw Singers, I would add his cello sonotas by Steven Isserliss, also the piano concertos by Askenazy, Rubinstien and late Agerich, his orchestral suites are also quite nice.
Hearing Rachmaninoff play his own works or Liszt is amazing his speed, acuracy and timing are different than what we are now used to but their compelling sound is worth listening to