I saw this electronically re-recorded in stereo LP by Everest and had to have it. Though Rachmaninoff's first symphony has gotten an unnecessarily bad wrap over the years, I still like it warts and all. This is not the Rachmaninoff of the 2nd piano concerto but rather, a composition by a talented, intelligent, young composer struggling to find his voice amongst an environment that was severe, conforming, and decidedly conservative. An interesting piece that surely doesn't deserve to be neglected.
Ok...and of course, the Leningrad Philharmonic and its SPECIAL sound. During the Soviet heyday, this was THE celebrated orchestra in the East. Drilled as the epitome of precision by Mravinsky, the special sound quality had much to do with the distinctive Soviet made instruments. Sadly, much of that sound has been lost today as borders have fallen and musicians from the East now choose the best quality instruments from the West. But, we still have these historic documents in the archives and its great to have that occasional listen!
Sanderling was for years the second conductor of the Leningrad orchestra, usually handling the repertoire that Mravinsky had little sympathy towards. A lifelong socialist, Sanderling fled East before the second world war, made a career in the Soviet Union, finally returning to Berlin to head the Berlin Symphony Orchestra. East German authorities had high hopes that he could go toe to toe with Karajan however the latter had, of course, the much finer orchestra. Here though, Sanderling proves a strong advocate of Rachmaninoff's youthful work and it is great to hear it performed in the sound world that the composer had in mind. This work was composed in Russia for a Russian orchestra unlike, say the Third Symphony which was composed with a very different ensemble in mind; in that case the great Philadelphia Orchestra.
Enjoy Sanderling, Rachmaninoff and those fabulous Leningraders!
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