Rachmaninoff, Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Opus 44?

The Previn and Askenazy are both tops, but you might also want to check out Andrew Litton's cycle with the Royal Philharmonic on Virgin.

Second bite at the apple - I mentioned in passing Symphony #1. After posting I sat down and listened to it. This symphony should be far more highly regarded by audiophiles, IMHO. It is big! It is dynamic! It is engaging! and, even though it was his first symphony it resembles Symphonic Dances, his last symphony (in everything but name) quite a bit. Don't miss it. :-)

FWIW, by way of analogy only, comparing Rachmininoff's 1 and 2(3) is like comparing Beethovens 5 and 6, or Mahlers 1 and 4. A big difference in mood/drama.

I second Newbee's enthusiasm for Symphony No. 1, very underrated, as different from the others as he says, and the last movement is one of those audiophile spectaculars. Another of those works I would not have bought had I not heard it live in concert. The Ashkenazy is excellent, as is the EMI Previn, and Naxos has a version, coupled with his Capriccio Bohemienne (sounds a lot like Dvorak when you hear it at first, due to the melodies), which is also quite good.

I agree also that Litton should be pretty good, I have seen and heard him conduct Rachmaninoff and he too has a special feeling for this music.

Ashkenazy hard to beat; sound is not up to date, though (but his Isle of the Dead is tops, bone-chilling!).

For more up-to-date sound, I recommend David Zinman and Baltimore on Telarc. Playing is not quite as exciting as Ashkenazy, but it's georgeous. It's the one I usually pull out for a listen. I don't think I've ever heard cellos sing the way they do on this recording. Lopez-Cobos and Cincy on Telarc is excellent for Sym. no. 2, very romantic, very warm sound.

So get Ashkenazy for sheer excitement, Zinman and Lopez-Cobos for very romantic readings and excellent sound.

The Rachmaninoff Third is one of the most underrated masterpieces.

Steve O.

As several posters mentioned, the Previn and Askenazy recordings are standards. Don't forget the Ormandy Philadelphia recordings on Columbia. Ormandy had a close working relationship with Rachmaninoff.