2nd symphony (Rachmaninoff)

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The symphony No. 2 in E minor op. 27 by Sergei Wassiljewitsch Rachmaninow was composed in 1906/1907 during the composer's long stay in Dresden. The premiere took place in St. Petersburg in January 1908 and was conducted by Rachmaninoff himself. He dedicated the symphony to Sergei Taneyev . In contrast to the relatively seldom performed First Symphony , the Second is performed relatively often, and more often in an abbreviated version.

To the music

Sound sample (1st movement).
Sound sample (2nd movement).
Sound sample (3rd movement).
Sound sample (4th movement).

occupation

Three Flutes (3rd also Piccolo ), three oboes (3 also English horn ), two clarinets in A and B, bass clarinet in A and B, two bassoons , four horns , three trumpets , three trombones , tuba , timpani , snare drum , Bass drum , cymbals , glockenspiel and string instruments .

The sequence of sentences

  • I. Largo. Allegro moderato
  • II. Allegro molto
  • III. adagio
  • IV. Allegro vivace

analysis

The second differs from the first in that each individual sentence is more rounded and the entire subject matter per sentence is more routinely interwoven. The themes are much longer (the end of the main theme in the third movement is therefore barely audible) and very enthusiastic, which Rachmaninoff achieved through the phrasing as well as the melody lines. Even so, the second is not lacking in fire; it was simply embedded more finely in the surrounding, calm contrasting themes and partially veiled by polyphonic structures. An exception to this is the second movement, which pervades its stormy, rousing main theme almost without a break (possible assignment: rondo form). Despite their lush orchestration (i.e., enhanced by cor anglais compared to the first), the strings are involved in most of the action. This gave reason to call it a "string symphony". However, if you listen more closely, you can see that the strings rarely sound alone - after all, one of Rachmaninov's strengths is his timbres (= well thought-out mixture of individual groups of instruments). In addition, the woodwind solos are special highlights in this symphony, such as the lyrical and seemingly endless clarinet solo in the third movement. Rachmaninoff's mature sense of counterpoint is evident in the many fugatos, which achieve remarkable effects, especially in the first and second movements (string fugato in the largo of the first movement).

Discography

Eugene Ormandy, Philadelphia Orchestra, Philadelphia (February 1979)

Antonio Pappano plays and explains Rachmaninoff's Symphony No. 2 with Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden, DVD, EuroArts (2018)

Web links