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

With Rachmaninoff, the Previn and Ashkenazy interpretations Rushton and Newbee refer to are generally felt to be the top recommendations, both of them seem to have the right feeling for the music. I have the Previn EMI recordings both on CD and vinyl and like them a lot, both interpretively and sonically. I know that Classic Records released an RCA Rachmaninoff 3 from the RCA Living Stereo series on vinyl, but I don't believe it was Previn's version. I did not like it as much as the Previn.

Shadorne, I think you misread the question, you're thinking of Piano Concerto no. 3.

There have been a lot of recordings by the top recording labels of Rach Symphony No. 2, but very few (comparatively) of No. 3, as it is not as popular a piece, even though it is an audiophile's treat with its sonics. Your experience is why I go to concerts where they play things I have not previously heard--it opens up more new worlds to discover.

By the way, I know that the Minnesota Orchestra records extensively, currently with Ondine (they have been superbly recorded over the years). Any possibility that they recorded the concert and are thinking of making it available, either as a CD or online for downloads (as many orchestras are now doing)? You might ask the orchestra about it.

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.