Rachmaninov, Symphony No. 2 in E minor
The composer finished this work and conducted its premiere in 1908. The symphony earned him the Glinka Award ten months later. Reflecting for a moment – it seems extraordinary that the great composer had little confidence in his own ability as a symphonist when he approached the composition of this symphony. Yet, it shows just how a truly gifted individual can take a dreadful knock when receiving unjust and unreasonable criticism. In 1897 he had composed his first symphony, conducted by Alexander Glazunov at its premiere and it was considered an utter disaster. Such was the nature of this criticism that it sent Rachmaninov into deep depression and he lacked confidence in writing. It was after the triumph of his second symphony that he regained his sense of self-worth as a symphonist. As I sit and listen to this massive work and reflect on the tumult this man was undergoing during its composition, it serves as a powerful reminder as to how we should treat one another and the thrill we can experience today, as a result of his full and eventual recovery from illness.
That this is a massive performance is reflected in its lasting 65 minutes. For this reason it has been subjected to many revisions that can reduce the piece from an hour to nearly 35 minutes. I will recommend recordings that honour the complete score. The symphony is scored for a full orchestra with 3 flutes, 3 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, snare drum, bass drum, cymbals, glockenspiel and strings. The first movement is simply amazing, full of mood changes and charged with emotion, by the time it comes to an end I feel emotionally drained! It is dramatically intense with two notable tunes, the second of which is very special, the development begins with a solo violin and ends with an oboe.
As in Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony – of which Rachmaninov said: “Nobody will ever write anything better than this” – (how right he was!), the busy second movement, a scherzo is full of vigour. If the opening movement is charged with emotion, goodness knows how to describe the slow movement. This movement is the core of the whole symphony and is surely one of the most famous movements ever to be composed. Please listen to this movement, along with the rest of the work, without distraction. Here, there is a beautiful rhapsody for solo clarinet, while the wind and strings provide a plaintive reply. The final movement is rather grand and sweeping, incorporating memories of the preceding movements.
Some modern-day critics have dismissed Rachmaninov as a symphonic composer and commended him as a phenomenal pianist; I say, listen to and savour this monumental work, ponder over what may have been going through his mind as he sought to make a point to his critics and I’m sure you will agree he triumphed in a way that would have made Beethoven very, very proud.
Recommended recordings:
Gennadi Rozhdestvensky conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, 1988, IMP/MCA Classics (complete with first movement repeat)
Andre Previn conducting the London Symphony Orchestra, 1973, EMI (complete)
Lorin Maazel conducting the Berliner Philarmoniker, 1983, Deutsche Grammophon (complete)
All are available from Amazon: www.amazon.co.uk