Cincinnatians show flair for Russian fare

For their 11th recording together, Paavo Jarvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra have cooked up an all-Rachmaninoff menu featuring the rich and tasty Symphony No. 2, a couple of spicy dances from his early opera "Aleko" and a little splash of Russia.

After the disastrous premiere of his First Symphony, which was conducted by an inebriated Alexander Glazunov, Rachmaninoff didn't attempt to write another one for nearly 13 years. With his Symphony No. 2, he reaffirmed his status as a symphonist. It's become far and away the most popular of his three symphonies. In this large-scale work the composer shifts between moods that are sometimes soft and lyrical and at other times dark and brooding.

The first movement alone encompasses a wide array of emotions. A long, gloomy introduction oozes from the depths of the orchestra. Bold percussion enhances the dramatic effect, while instrumental solos broaden the palette of color and also serve as a bridge between the mood shifts. The arching horn theme in the second movement is sustained by the sparkling rhythm of the string section. Paavo Jarvi's quick tempo generates a sense of urgency in this second movement, one that's exhilarating and optimistic. If you're looking for a truly romantic melody to sweep you away, look no further than the larghetto of the Second Symphony. Here, Jarvi takes a more leisurely tempo than expected, giving the listener a chance to become totally immersed in this gorgeous theme.

Rachmaninoff's opera "Aleko" was a graduation project assigned to him and two fellow students at the Moscow Conservatory in 1892. Rachmaninoff contributed two gypsy dances, which add a distinctly Russian flair to this recording. The Women's Dance is willowy and exotic. Tchaikovsky's influence surfaces here as images of Arabian and Chinese dancers from his "Nutcracker" ballet come to light. The Men's Dance from "Aleko" is bold and adventurous. Here, I immediately picture the brave hunters from Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf." The brass section is fearless, while the lower strings pluck quietly, reminding the horns to proceed with caution.

Rachmaninoff wrote his first orchestral work at the request of his piano teacher. This little "Scherzo" is reminiscent of the one Mendelssohn wrote for "A Midsummer Night's Dream." It's a happy piece with an enchanting tempo and light instrumentation.

With this new recording, Paavo Jarvi and the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra offer a triple treat, exposing the listener to three different phases of Rachmaninoff's career, ranging from the light, experimental work of a young composer coming into his own and culminating in the full symphonic sound of his later years. It's an effort that will satisfy a craving for music from the core Russian repertoire, topped off by a few lesser-known but still luscious musical morsels.

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