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

Ashkenazy's recordings of all of the symphonies as well as the Symphonic Dances, Isle of the Dead, and The Bells, are outstanding. For both performance and the recording.

I haven't checked but I think they are available as a budget set now. His work, and Previn's, are IMHO, probably the best and I think the Ashkenazy and the LSO are better recordings and I like the performance much more. Until I got them I enjoyed Previn's, especially his #2.

Sonically the differences, to my ears, are basically that the Previn versions are a bit more lyrical (languid) and the Ashkenazy are more crisp and clear. To me its not a small difference. I like the pace, tension, color, whatever, that Askenazy brings to these already very lyrical symphonies. Unfortunately, from my POV, most performances really slow down the pace and what is initially very beautiful becomes boring on repeated hearings. FWIW, if you haven't already heard them and decided, I wouldn't be without Ashkenazy's Symphonic Dances! I indorse the set because you also get to hear his 1st Symphony which isn't too bad, and not much like #2 & 3.

Enjoy.

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.