Rachmaninov, Sergei (1873-1943) - Symphony No.3, Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini : James Gaffigan / Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Behzod Abduraimov(P) - Import CD

Credits:

Wieniawski, J.

Description:

Rachmaninoff Foundation full surface cooperation project. A rising dragon you can't take your eyes off! This is the latest recording by the brilliant Gaffigan with the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, based in Lucerne, where Rachmaninoff was born and raised. Rachmaninoff left his native country during the turmoil of the Russian Revolution and was unable to return to the United States, where he became active as a pianist and conductor. While he gained fame in the U.S., he spent much of his time performing, and he also felt that he had lost his homeland by leaving Russia, and he had difficulty composing because he felt his imagination was exhausted. In the midst of all this, he began composing on June 3, 1934 at a villa he built on the shores of Lake Lucerne in Switzerland to spend his summer vacation in 1931, and finished on August 18 of the same year with "Rhapsody on a Theme by Paganini," the 24th of Paganini's "24 Caprices" for solo violin, which is based on the theme of the 24th variation of the "24 Caprices" for solo violin by Paganini. It was a magnificent "variation" on the theme of No. 24 from Paganini's "24 Caprices" for solo violin. The Symphony No. 3 was composed in the same villa on Lake Lucerne, and was begun in June 1935 and completed on June 6, 1936.The Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, Switzerland's oldest orchestra founded in 1806, and its chief conductor, the up-and-coming James Gaffigan, have attracted much attention in the European music world. Gaffigan, who has been principal conductor since 2011, studied with Zinman in Aspen, and has worked as an assistant to Welser-Möst and Tilson Thomas in Cleveland and San Francisco. He has significantly enhanced the reputation of the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra, which has extended his contract until 2022, as well as his appointments as principal guest conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (a complete cycle of Prokofiev symphonies is in progress on Challenge Classics) and the Gürzenig Orchestra Cologne. The piano soloist is Bevzod Abduraimov from Uzbekistan, who has been enchanting audiences around the world since his debut with Decca in 2013. His dynamic performance style, not to mention his sure and brilliant technique, is breathtaking. His superb technique and passionate playing make him a brilliant performer of challenging pieces.Two of Rachmaninoff's major works composed in Lucerne are performed by the Lucerne Symphony Orchestra in a flowing, breathtaking performance of beautiful romantic melodies. The package is a deluxe edition in an all-color 72-page hardcover book with liner notes by Rachmaninoff Foundation researchers (English, German, French) and many unpublished photos. Sony Music

Tracklisting:

1.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Introduction - Allegro vivace - Variation I
2.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Tema - L'istesso tempo
3.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation II - L'istesso tempo
4.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation III - L'istesso tempo
5.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation IV - Piu vivo
6.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation V - Tempo precedente
7.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation VI - L'istesso tempo
8.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation VII - Meno mosso, a tempo moderato
9.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation VIII - Tempo I
10.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation IX - L'istesso tempo
11.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation X - L'istesso tempo
12.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XI - Moderato
13.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XII - Tempo di minuetto
14.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XIII - Allegro
15.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XIV - L'istesso tempo
16.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XV - Piu vivo scherzando
17.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XVI - Allegretto
18.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XVII - Allegretto
19.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XVIII - Andante cantabile
20.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XIX - A tempo vivace
21.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XX - Un poco piu vivo
22.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XXI - Un poco piu vivo
23.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XXII - Un poco piu vivo
24.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XXIII - L'istesso tempo
25.Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 43~Variation XXIV - A tempo un poco meno mosso
26.Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44~I. Lento - Allegro moderato
27.Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44~II. Adagio ma non troppo - Allegro vivace
28.Symphony No. 3 in A minor, Op. 44~III. Allegro vivace - Allegro - Allegretto - Allegro vivace
29.Lullaby, Op. 16, No. 1